Information recording medium, information recording device and method, information reproduction device and method, information recording/reproduction device and method, computer program for controlling recording or reproduction, and data structure including control signal

ABSTRACT

An information record medium contains a plurality of content informations and a plurality of play list sets each including a plurality of play list informations defining the reproduction sequence of the content informations. In addition, the information recording medium contains title information designating at least one play list set, which corresponds to the content informations to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play list sets to reproduce the plurality of content informations as a title, the title being a logical information unit of the plurality of content informations.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to: an information record medium, such asa high density optical disc, capable of recording thereon variousinformation such as main picture information or video information, audioinformation, sub-picture information, reproduction control information,and so on, at high density; an apparatus for and a method of recordingthe information onto the information record medium; an apparatus for anda method of reproducing the information from the information recordmedium; an apparatus and a method capable of both recording andreproducing the information; a computer program for controlling therecording or reproduction; and a data structure including a controlsignal.

BACKGROUND ART

DVDs become common as optical discs onto which various information suchas main picture information, audio information, sub-picture information,reproduction control information and so on is recorded. According to aDVD standard, the main picture information (video data), the audioinformation (audio data) and the sub-picture information (sub-picturedata) are packetized each with the reproduction control information(navigation data) and are multi-recorded onto a disc in a program streamformat of MPEG 2(Moving Picture Experts Group phase 2), which is a highperformance encoding technology. Among them, the main pictureinformation has data, which is compressed in a MPEG video format (ISO13818-2), for one stream in one program stream. On the other hand, theaudio information is recorded in a plurality of formats (i.e. linearPCM, AC-3, MPEG audio and so on) and has data for up to 8 streams in oneprogram stream. The sub-picture information is defined by a bitmap, andis compressed and recorded in a run length method, and has data for upto 32 streams in one program stream.

On the other hand, a transport stream format of MPEG2 standard is comingto be standardized, which is suitable for data transfer. According tothe transport stream format, a plurality of elementary streams aretransferred at the same time. For example, a plurality of programs, suchas a plurality of satellite digital broadcasting channels in onesatellite radio wave, are transmitted at the same time in a TDM (TimeDivision Multiplex) scheme.

In an application for recording a DVD of this type, a DVD recorder is onthe market. This recorder is adapted to record one play list as controlinformation or logic information to control the reproduction, so that arecord unit from a start of recording to an end of recording isreproduced as one title (e.g. one movie, one program and so on), whilean inputted record signal is converted into a video recording format andis then recorded.

Additionally, in an application of DVD-ROM of this type, pre-recordedROM, such as a movie, an animation film, a game and so on is on themarket. Among them, a plurality of blocks, such as a parental block, anangle block and so on are streamed and recorded a DVD-ROM in which theseblocks can be selected or switched is also on the market. Here “parentalblock” means a block comprising a video part corresponding to an adultversion or a video part corresponding to a child version in the sametitle such as one movie. Furthermore, “angle block” means a blockcomprising video parts shot from various viewpoints in the same titlesuch as one movie.

On the other hand, as a record apparatus using a tape record medium,there is a digital VCR in a D-VHS (Digital VHS) format. The digital VCRis adapted to record a stream signal outputted from a set top box (STB)as it is onto a tape medium and reproduce it. That is, it is adapted torecord a plurality of programs received simultaneously in a certain timezone, with a one title, so-called “programs in a certain time zone”, andreproduce them collectively similarly to the receiving (that is,reproduce channel-switchably).

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

In the aforementioned digital VCR, however, the stream signal reproducedafter recorded needs to be subjected to a signal processing by the STB.Furthermore, even if the reproduction output obtained from this is used,it is almost impossible to achieve the performance equals to or morethan the situation that a plurality or programs are received andoutputted in real time.

On the other hand, the conventional DVD as mentioned above does notsuitable for multi-recording the main picture made of a plurality ofstreams, because it can only multi-record the main picture made of onestream with the audio information or the sub-picture information made ofa plurality of streams. That is, the DVD complying with a MPEG2 programstream format to record the information cannot basically multi-record aplurality of programs transferred at the same time in the aforementionedMPEG2 transport stream format.

Even if there is a disc compatible with a high density recording or alarge volume recording and having a high transfer rate, which allows torecord simultaneously a plurality of programs transferred in a transportstream, one stream signal may often include a plurality of programswhose time scales are not aligned, when the stream signal is recorded asit is onto the optical disc as in the case of the aforementioned digitalVCR. For this, as in the case of the aforementioned DVD recorder, it istechnically difficult to select a desired program which may be startedat an arbitrary time point, by recording only one play list in order toreproduce from the record start to the record end as a logically unitedone title such as “programs in a certain time zone”.

Thus, in the conventional DVD recorder application, when the pluralityof programs included in one stream signal in a digital broadcasting orthe like are to be recorded simultaneously and reproduced, there is atechnical problem of the difficulty in reproducing the desired program,for example reproducing the desired programs which may be started at anarbitrary time point after selecting them from entire programs on a menuscreen.

Additionally, in the DVD-ROM application, for example, when a pluralityof content informations which are substantially common as for thecontent itself but different in the video resolution, the parental levelor the angle are recorded, only the play list corresponding to eachcontent information is recorded. Therefore, on the reproduction, theplayer presents the user individual play lists as different titles andmay cause a confusion to the user in selecting the contents.

The present invention has been accomplished in view of the aboveproblems for example. It is therefore an object of the present inventionto provide an information record medium, an information record apparatusand method, an information reproduction apparatus and method, aninformation record reproduction apparatus and method, a computer programfor a record or reproduction control, and a data structure including acontrol signal, which make it possible to efficiently record a largevolume of content informations including a plurality of programs, thevideo resolution, the parental level, the angle and so on, as one title,and further to select and reproduce the desired program or the like fromamong them relatively easily.

The information record medium according to the present invention storestherein: a plurality of content informations; a plurality of play listsets each including a plurality of play list informations definingreproduction sequence of the plurality of content informations; andtitle information designating at least one play list set, whichcorresponds to the content informations to be reproduced, from among theplurality of play list sets to reproduce the plurality of contentinformations as a title, the title being a logical information unit ofthe plurality of content informations.

According to the information record medium of the invention, a pluralityof content informations may be stored as object data in an object datafile. Here, the “content information” may be made of main pictureinformation (video data), audio information (audio data), sub-pictureinformation (sub-picture data) and the like. Various contentinformations as such may be multiplexed in a transport stream such asthe MPEG2 as mentioned above. Alternatively, it may be multiplexed in aprogram stream of the MPEG2, or may not be multiplexed.

A plurality of play list sets may be stored in a play list informationfile, in a table form for each play list set. Each of A plurality ofplay list informations composing the play list set is an informationunit logically accessible by the information reproduction apparatus. Theplay list information may include pointer information indicating alogically accessible item for example. Alternatively, it may includepointer information indicating a collection or assembly of items.Particularly, a plurality of play list informations defines areproduction sequence for a plurality of content informations. Forexample, each play list information defines a reproduction sequence forone content information corresponding to each play list information,from among a plurality of content informations.

The title information may be stored as a table format for each title inthe disc information file. Typically, there is a plurality of the titleinformations for one information record medium. For example, a pluralityof title informations may be stored in the disc information file. Thetitle information acts as a part of the reproduction control informationto control the reproduction of the content information. The titleinformation designates, so as to reproduce the plurality of contentinformations as the title which is the logically united information unitsuch as one movie or one TV program, one or more play list setscorresponding to the content informations.

At the recording of the information record medium, for example in theDVD recorder application, a plurality of programs streamed into the sametransfer wave or the same transfer signal are recorded as one or morestreams such as transport streams, as in the case of the aforementionedD-VHS. Alternatively, for example in the DVD-ROM application, aplurality of streams, which are substantially same as for the contentitself but different as for the video resolution, the parental level,the angle and so on, are streamed and recorded.

When recording such a plurality of content informations, a plurality ofplay list sets each including a plurality of play list informationsrelated to those content informations are recorded, while from therecord start to the record end is recorded logically as one title.Furthermore, from among the plurality of play list sets, the titleinformation to designate the play list set corresponding to the contentinformations to be reproduced is recorded for each of the plurality ofcontent informations such as individual program, video resolution,parental level, angle and so on.

Therefore, at the reproduction of the information record medium, if thecontent informations are reproduced in accordance with the reproductionsequence defined by any of the plurality of play list informationsincluded in each play list set designated by the title information, anyof the plurality of content informations recorded as one title isreproduced for example in the DVD recorder application or the DVD-ROMapplication. Therefore, in the information reproduction apparatus suchas the DVD player, if the control is performed to select the play listinformation corresponding to the desired content informations, such as adesired program, a desired video resolution, a desired parental level, adesired angle, a desired content information and so on, from among theplurality of play list informations included in each play list set, thedesired content informations can be reproduced as a title.

As the result, according to the present invention, it is possible toefficiently record, as one title, the relevant play list from among theplay lists relating to a large volume of content informations includinga plurality of programs, or a plurality of video resolutions, parentallevels, or angles. Furthermore, it is possible to select and reproducethe desired programs or the like from among them relatively easily.

In an aspect of the information record medium of the invention, thetitle information includes at least one title element, and the titleelement includes a first pointer information to designate at least oneplay list set corresponding to the content informations to bereproduced.

According to this aspect, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, it is possible to identify the play list set corresponding tothe content information to be reproduced, in accordance with the pointerinformation included in the title information. Then, if the control isperformed to select the play lists corresponding to the desired programfrom among the plurality of play list informations included in thisidentified play list set, the desired content information can bereproduced as a title element. Furthermore, it is possible to reproduceone title by reproducing such one or more title elements solely orsuccessively.

In this aspect relating to the title element, the title element mayinclude, in addition to the first pointer information, at least one of(i) a first pre-command information to indicate a command to be executedbefore a reproduction of the content informations whose reproductionsequence is defined by one play list set designated by the first pointerinformation, (ii) a first post command information to indicate a commandto be executed after a reproduction of the content informations whosereproduction sequence is defined by said one play list set and (iii) afirst next information to designate a title element to be reproducedafter the presently reproduced title element.

In this arrangement, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, it is possible to execute the command to be executed before thereproduction of the content information whose reproduction sequence isdefined by one play list set designated by the first pointerinformation, in accordance with the first pre-command information.Furthermore, it is possible to execute the command to be executed afterthe reproduction of the content information whose reproduction sequenceis defined by one play list set designated by the first pointerinformation, in accordance with the first post command information.Additionally, it is possible to reproduce the next title element afterthe presently reproduced title element, in accordance with the firstnext information.

The first post command information or the second post commandinformation mentioned later is a command to designate a dynamic motion,such as a command to branch the content information, a command to chosethe next title or the like.

On the other hand, the first next information or the second nextinformation mentioned later records only the next title element numberfor example, and the action based on these next informations depends onthe DVD player system. That is, it is not information in a form ofcommand for simplicity. For example, it is information to indicate astatic motion, such as a shift uniformly to the next specific titleelement or the next specific play list element.

Thus, furthermore in the case that the title element includes the firstpre-command information or the like, in addition to the first pointerinformation, one play list information defining the reproductionsequence of the content information to be reproduced may be selected bythe first pre-command information, from among the plurality of play listinformations included in a same play list.

In this arrangement, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, such a control becomes possible to select the play listinformation corresponding to the desired content information, such as adesired program, a desired parental block or a desired angle block, fromamong a plurality of play list informations included in each play listset, in accordance with the first pre-command information. Here, thefirst pre-command information may include the selection conditioninformation indicating a selection condition about each of the pluralityof play list informations. When reproducing, one play list informationis selected on the basis of a command corresponding to the selectioncondition.

As the result, for example, both in the DVD recorder application and inthe DVD-ROM application, a large volume of content informationsincluding a plurality of programs or blocks can be efficiently recordedas one title, and a desired program or block can be selected andreproduced from among these programs or blocks.

In the above described aspect relating to the title element, attributeinformation indicating an inherent attribute may be added to each of theplurality of play list informations included in a same play list set,and the title element may further include a selectable flag indicatingthat one of the plurality of play list informations included in the sameplay list is selectable depending on the attribute information.

In this arrangement, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, the information reproduction apparatus can perform the selectionoperation as appropriate, in accordance with the selectable flag.Furthermore, in response to the attribute information added to the playlist information, such a control becomes possible to select the playlist information corresponding to the desired content information, suchas a desired program, a desired parental block or a desired angle block,from among the plurality of play list informations included in each playlist set. For example, if the selectable flag indicates that it isselectable, the information reproduction apparatus can compare thesystem parameter such as the video resolution or the like with theattribute inherent to the play list information indicated by theattribute information, and select the play list information optimum forthe information reproduction apparatus in one play list set. On theother hand, if the selectable flag does not indicate that it isselectable, the information reproduction apparatus reproduces on thatbasis of the play list information to be selected uniquely.

As the result, for example, both in the DVD recorder application and inthe DVD-ROM application, a large volume of content information includinga plurality of programs or blocks can be efficiently recorded as onetitle. A desired program or block can be selected and reproduced fromamong these programs or blocks.

In the above described aspect relating to the title element, the titleelement may further include selection condition information indicating aselection condition about each of the plurality of play listinformations included in a same play list set.

In this arrangement, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, such a control becomes possible to select the play listinformation corresponding to the desired content information, such as adesired program, a desired parental block or a desired angle block, fromamong the plurality of play list informations included in each play listset, in accordance with the selection condition information about eachplay list information included in the title element.

As the result, for example, both in the DVD recorder application and inthe DVD-ROM application, a large volume of content informationsincluding a plurality of programs or blocks can be efficiently recordedas one title. A desired program or block can be selected and reproducedfrom among these programs or blocks.

In the above described aspect relating to the selection of the play listinformation in the same play list set, any one of the plurality of playlist informations included in the same play list set may define thereproduction sequence of content information capable of composing a sametitle.

In this arrangement, in the DVD-ROM application capable of the parentalreproduction or angle reproduction, at the reproduction of theinformation record medium, any one of the plurality of parental blocks,angle blocks or the like recorded as one title is reproducible. Thereby,the user can reproduce one title with a desired parental or angle.Alternatively, in the DVD recorder application, at the reproduction ofthe information record medium, any one program of content informationssuch as “programs in a certain time zone” recorded as one title forexample is reproducible. Thereby, the user can select and reproduce thedesired program in one title for example.

In another aspect of the information record medium of the invention,each play list information includes at least one play list element, theplay list element includes a second pointer information to designateitem information, which is logically accessible reproduction unit andcomposes the content information.

According to this aspect, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, it is possible to identify the item information corresponding tothe content information to be reproduced, in accordance with the secondpointer information included in the play list element. Then, byreproducing this identified item information, the desired contentinformation can be reproduced as the play list element. Furthermore, byreproducing one or more play list element solely or successively, oneplay list can be reproduced.

Incidentally, the “item information” is a minimum unit for display. Forexample, if the content information is still picture information, theitem information is an information unit corresponding to one or moreimages.

In the above described aspect relating to this play list element, theplay list element includes, in addition to the second pointerinformation, at least one of (i) a second pre-command information toindicate a command to be executed before a reproduction of one iteminformation designated by the second pointer information, (ii) a secondpost command information to indicate a command to be executed after thereproduction of said one item information, and (iii) a second nextinformation to designate a play list element to be reproduced after thepresently reproduced play list element.

In this arrangement, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, it is possible to execute a command to be executed before thereproduction of one item information designated by the second pointerinformation, in accordance with the second pre-command information.Furthermore, it is possible to execute a command to be executed afterthe reproduction of one item information designated by the secondpointer information, in accordance with the second post commandinformation. Additionally, it is possible to reproduce the play listelement to be reproduced next the presently reproduced play listelement.

In another aspect of the information record medium of the invention,each of the plurality of play list sets includes, in addition to theplurality of play list informations, an item definition table to defineitem information, the item information being a logically accessiblereproduction unit and composing the content informations, and each ofthe plurality of play lists informations defines the reproductionsequence of the content informations by a unit of the item information.

According to this aspect, at the reproduction of the information recordmedium, the content informations are reproduced in the reproductionsequence defined by the unit of item information by the play listinformation. Particularly in this case, since the item information isdefined collectively in the item definition table, the reference to thetable can be achieved easily and quickly. Furthermore, the same iteminformation can be advantageously used commonly among the plurality ofplay list informations in the same play list set.

In the above described aspect relating to the item information, the iteminformation may comprise information, which defines a reproduction startaddress of the content information as in-point information and definesreproduction end address of the content information as out-pointinformation.

In this arrangement, it is possible to start the reproduction of thecorresponding content information part, in accordance with the in-pointinformation of the item information. It is possible to end thereproduction of the corresponding content information part, inaccordance with the out-point information of the item information.Thereby, the content information part corresponding to each iteminformation can be reproduced easily. A series of such a reproductionmakes it possible to reproduce a series of content informations.

In another aspect of the information record medium of the invention, awhole stream including a plurality of partial streams made of theplurality of content informations is multiplexed packet by packet whichis a physically accessible unit and stores pieces of the plurality ofcontent informations, relation definition information is furtherrecorded to define a relationship between the plurality of multiplexedpackets and the plurality of partial streams, as reproduction controlinformation to control the reproduction of the plurality of contentinformations.

According to this aspect, the whole stream like at least a part of thetransport stream of the MPEG2 includes a plurality of partial streamslike the elementary stream. That is, one “partial stream” herein meansone array of data or array of information, which is an elementarystream, such as a video stream, an audio stream, a sub-picture streamand so on composing a series of the content information. On the otherhand, one “whole stream” herein means data arrangement or informationarrangement made of bundles of a plurality of partial streams. Such awhole stream is multi-recorded onto the information record medium, byunit of packet (e.g. TS packet as mentioned later) which is a unitphysically accessible by the information reproduction apparatus. Thecontent information is made of a plurality of packets, which is a unitlogically accessible by the information reproduction apparatus and eachof which stores pieces of the content information. Furthermore, an ESmap table (ES_Map Table) to indicate a relationship definitioninformation (e.g. elementary stream packet ID as mentioned later(ES_PID)) are further recorded as the reproduction control informationto control the reproduction of the content information.

Therefore, in the information reproduction apparatus, it is possible toreproduce a desired program, blocks and the like made of one orcombination of the content information made of a part of the wholestream multi-recorded onto the information record medium, on the basisof the relationship between a plurality of packets multiplexed at thesame time and a plurality of partial streams, which may be recorded inthe relationship definition information.

Incidentally, as for the information record medium mentioned above, theobject data file in which a plurality of content informations arestored, the play list information file in which a plurality of play listsets are stored and the disc information file in which a plurality oftitle informations are stored may be recorded in an area on theinformation record medium, differently from each other. From among them,the object data file may be multi-recorded in the transport streamformat or the program stream format of the MPEG2. From among them, theplay list information file or the disc information file may not bemulti-recorded, in view of an easy and speedy reproduction control.

The information record apparatus according to the present inventionincludes: a first record device for recording a plurality of contentinformations; a second record device for recording a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of play list informations definingreproduction sequence of the plurality of content informations; and athird record device for recording title information designating at leastone play list set, which corresponds to the content informations to bereproduced, from among the plurality of play list sets to reproduce theplurality of content informations as a title, the title being a logicalinformation unit of the plurality of content informations.

According to the information record apparatus of the invention, thefirst record device such as a controller, an encoder, a TS objectgenerator mentioned later, an optical pickup, a cutting device or thelike, records a plurality of content informations onto the informationrecord medium such as a DVD. The second record device such as acontroller, an encoder, an optical pickup, a cutting device or the like,records a plurality of play list sets including a plurality of contentinformations onto the information record medium such as a DVD. The thirdrecord device such as a controller, an encoder, an optical pickup, acutting device or the like, records the title information designating atleast one play list set from among the plurality of play list sets.

Therefore, the information record medium of the invention mentionedabove (including various aspects thereof) can be recorded relativelyefficiently.

Incidentally, the information record apparatus according to the presentinvention may also take various aspects, corresponding to variousaspects of the information record medium according to the presentinvention as mentioned above.

The information record method according to the present inventionincludes: a first record process of recording a plurality of contentinformations; a second record process of recording a plurality of playlist sets each including a plurality of play list informations definingreproduction sequence of the plurality of content informations; and athird record process of recording title information designating at leastone play list set, which corresponds to the content informations to bereproduced, from among the plurality of play list sets to reproduce theplurality of content informations as a title, the title being a logicalinformation unit of the plurality of content informations.

According to the information record method of the invention, the firstrecord process is for recording a plurality of content informations, thesecond record process is for recording a plurality of play list sets,and the third record process is for recording the title information,onto the information record medium such as a DVD, with the aid of acontroller, an encoder, a TS object generator mentioned below, anoptical pickup, a cutting device or the like.

Therefore, the information record medium according to the presentinvention as mentioned above (including various aspects thereof) can berecorded relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the information record method according to the presentinvention may also take various aspects, corresponding to variousaspects of the information record medium according to the presentinvention.

The first information reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention is for reproducing the information record medium according tothe present invention mentioned above (including various aspectsthereof), the apparatus comprising: a reproduction device capable ofreproducing the plurality of content informations, the plurality of playlist sets and the title information; and a control device for (i)selecting at least one play list set designated by the title informationreproduced by the reproduction device, from among the plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproduction device and (ii) controlling thereproduction device to reproduce the plurality of content informationsin accordance with the reproduction sequence defined by one play listinformation defining the reproduction sequence of the contentinformation to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play listinformations included in the selected play list set.

According to the first information reproduction apparatus of theinvention, the reproduction device such as a controller, a decoder, ademultiplexer, an optical pickup and the like can reproduce the contentinformation, the play list set and the title information. Then, thecontrol device such as a controller and the like selects at least onedesignated by the reproduced title information, from among the pluralityof reproduced play list sets. Furthermore, the control device controlsthe reproduction device to reproduce the plurality of contentinformations in the reproduction sequence defined by one play listinformation defining the reproduction sequence of the contentinformations to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play listinformations included in the selected play list set.

Therefore, the information record medium according to the presentinvention as mentioned above (including various aspects thereof) can bereproduced relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the first information reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The second information reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention is for reproducing the above described aspect of theinformation record medium related to the first pre-command informationof the present invention, the apparatus comprising: a reproductiondevice capable of reproducing the plurality of content informations, theplurality of play list sets and the title information; and a controldevice for (i) selecting at least one play list set designated by thetitle information reproduced by the reproduction device, from among theplurality of play list sets reproduced by the reproduction device and(ii) controlling the reproduction device to reproduce the plurality ofcontent informations in accordance with the reproduction sequencedefined by one play list information defining the reproduction sequenceof the content information to be reproduced, from among the plurality ofplay list informations included in the selected play list set, whereinthe control device selects said one play list information from among theplurality of play list informations included in the selected play listset, on the basis of the first pre-command information.

According to the second information reproduction apparatus of theinvention, the reproduction device such as a controller, a decoder, ademultiplexer, an optical pickup and the like can reproduce the contentinformation, the play list set and the title information. Then, thecontrol device such as a controller and the like selects at least oneplay list set designated by the reproduced title information, from amongthe plurality of reproduced play list sets. Particularly in this case,the control device selects one play list information defining thereproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced, fromamong the plurality of play list informations included in the selectedplay list set, on the basis of the first pre-command information.Furthermore, the control device controls the reproduction device toreproduce the plurality of content informations in the reproductionsequence defined by this selected play list information.

Therefore, the above described aspect related to the first pre-commandinformation of the information record medium of the present inventioncan be recorded relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the second information reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The third information reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention is for reproducing the above described aspect of theinformation record medium related to the selectable flag of the presentinvention, the apparatus comprising: a reproduction device capable ofreproducing the plurality of content informations, the plurality of playlist sets and the title information; and a control device for (i)selecting at least one play list set designated by the title informationreproduced by the reproduction device, from among the plurality of playlist sets reproduced by the reproduction device and (ii) controlling thereproduction device to reproduce the plurality of content informationsin accordance with the reproduction sequence defined by one play listinformation defining the reproduction sequence of the contentinformation to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play listinformations included in the selected play list set, wherein the controldevice selects said one play list information from among the pluralityof play list informations included in the selected play list set, on thebasis of the attribute information, if it is indicated by the selectableflag that the play list information is selectable.

According to the third information reproduction apparatus of theinvention, the reproduction device such as a controller, a decoder, ademultiplexer, an optical pickup and the like can reproduce the contentinformation, the play list set and the title information. Then, thecontrol device such as a controller and the like selects at least oneplay list set designated by the reproduced title information, from amongthe plurality of reproduced play list sets. Particularly in this case,the control device selects one play list information defining thereproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced, fromamong the plurality of play list informations included in the selectedplay list set, on the basis of the attribute information, if it isindicated by the selectable flag that the play list information isselectable. Furthermore, the control device controls the reproductiondevice to reproduce the plurality of content informations in thereproduction sequence defined by this selected play list information.

Therefore, the above described aspect related to the selectable flag ofthe information record medium of the present invention can be recordedrelatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the third information reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The fourth information reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention is for reproducing the above described aspect of theinformation record medium related to the selection condition informationof the present invention, the apparatus comprising: a reproductiondevice capable of reproducing the plurality of content informations, theplurality of play list sets and the title information; and a controldevice for (i) selecting at least one play list set designated by thetitle information reproduced by the reproduction device, from among theplurality of play list sets reproduced by the reproduction device and(ii) controlling the reproduction device to reproduce the plurality ofcontent informations in accordance with the reproduction sequencedefined by one play list information defining the reproduction sequenceof the content information to be reproduced, from among the plurality ofplay list informations included in the selected play list set, whereinthe control device selects said one play list information from among theplurality of play list informations included in the selected play listset, on the basis of the selection condition information.

According to the fourth information reproduction apparatus of theinvention, the reproduction device such as a controller, a decoder, ademultiplexer, an optical pickup and the like can reproduce the contentinformation, the play list set and the title information. Then, thecontrol device such as a controller and the like selects at least oneplay list set designated by the reproduced title information, from amongthe plurality of reproduced play list sets. Particularly in this case,the control device selects one play list information defining thereproduction sequence of the content information to be reproduced, fromamong the plurality of play list informations included in the selectedplay list set, on the basis of the selection condition information.Furthermore, the control device controls the reproduction device toreproduce the plurality of content informations in the reproductionsequence defined by this selected play list information.

Therefore, the above described aspect related to the selection conditioninformation of the information record medium of the present inventioncan be recorded relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the fourth information reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The information reproduction method according to the present inventionis for reproducing the information record medium according to thepresent invention (including various aspects thereof), the methodimplemented with an information reproduction apparatus comprising areproduction device capable of reproducing the plurality of contentinformations, the plurality of play list sets and the title information,the method comprising: a first control process of selecting at least oneplay list set designated by the title information reproduced by thereproduction device, from among the plurality of play list setsreproduced by the reproduction device and a second control process ofcontrolling the reproduction device to reproduce the plurality ofcontent informations in accordance with the reproduction sequencedefined by one play list information defining the reproduction sequenceof the content information to be reproduced, from among the plurality ofplay list informations included in the selected play list set.

According to the information reproduction method of the invention, thefirst control process is for selecting at least one play list setdesignated by the reproduced title information, from among the pluralityof reproduced play list sets, with the aid of the controller, thedecoder, the demultiplexer, the optical pickup and so on. Furthermore, asecond control process is for controlling the reproduction device toreproduce the plurality of content informations in the reproductionsequence defined by one play list information defining the reproductionsequence of the content information to be reproduced, from among theplurality of play list informations included in the selected play listset.

Therefore, the information record medium of the invention mentionedabove (including various aspects thereof) can be reproduced relativelyefficiently.

Incidentally, the information reproduction method according to thepresent invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention as mentioned above.

The information record reproduction apparatus according to the presentinvention includes: a first record device for recording a plurality ofcontent informations; a second record device for recording a pluralityof play list sets each including a plurality of play list informationsdefining reproduction sequence of the plurality of content informations;a third record device for recording title information designating atleast one play list set, which corresponds to the content informationsto be reproduced, from among the plurality of play list sets toreproduce the plurality of content informations as a title, the titlebeing a logical information unit of the plurality of contentinformations; a reproduction device capable of reproducing the pluralityof content informations, the plurality of play list sets and the titleinformation; and a control device for (i) selecting at least one playlist set designated by the title information reproduced by thereproduction device, from among the plurality of play list setsreproduced by the reproduction device and (ii) controlling thereproduction device to reproduce the plurality of content informationsin accordance with the reproduction sequence defined by one play listinformation defining the reproduction sequence of the contentinformation to be reproduced, from among the plurality of play listinformations included in the selected play list set.

According to the information record reproduction apparatus of theinvention, since it has both of the above described information recordapparatus of the present invention and the above described firstinformation reproduction apparatus of the present invention, theinformation record medium of the invention (including various aspectsthereof) can be recorded and reproduced relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the information record reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The information record reproduction method according to the presentinvention is implemented with an information record reproductionapparatus comprising a reproduction device capable of reproducing theplurality of content informations, the plurality of play list sets andthe title information, the method comprising: a first record process ofrecording a plurality of content informations; a second record processof recording a plurality of play list sets each including a plurality ofplay list informations defining reproduction sequence of the pluralityof content informations; a third record process of recording titleinformation designating at least one play list set, which corresponds tothe content informations to be reproduced, from among the plurality ofplay list sets to reproduce the plurality of content informations as atitle, the title being a logical information unit of the plurality ofcontent informations; a first control process of selecting at least oneplay list set designated by the title information reproduced by thereproduction device, from among the plurality of play list setsreproduced by the reproduction device and a second control process ofcontrolling the reproduction device to reproduce the plurality ofcontent informations in accordance with the reproduction sequencedefined by one play list information defining the reproduction sequenceof the content information to be reproduced, from among the plurality ofplay list informations included in the selected play list set.

According to the information record reproduction method of theinvention, since it has both of the above described information recordmethod of the present invention and the above described firstinformation reproduction method of the present invention, theinformation record medium of the invention (including various aspectsthereof) can be recorded and reproduced relatively efficiently.

Incidentally, the information record reproduction method according tothe present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention.

The computer program for a record control according to the presentinvention is to control a computer disposed at the information recordapparatus according to the present invention (including various aspectsthereof), the program making the computer function as at least a part ofthe first record device, the second record device and the third recorddevice.

According to the computer program for a record control of the invention,the information record apparatus according to the present inventionmentioned above may be realized relatively easily, by reading andrunning the computer program from a record medium, such as a ROM, aCD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, storing the computer programtherein/thereon, or by downloading the computer program to the computervia the communication device and running it.

Incidentally, the computer program for a record control according to thepresent invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention as mentioned above.

The computer program for a reproduction control according to the presentinvention is to control a computer disposed at the informationreproduction apparatus according to the present invention as mentionedabove (including various aspects thereof), the program making thecomputer function as at least a part of the reproduction device and thecontrol device.

According to the computer program for a reproduction control of theinvention, the information reproduction apparatus according to thepresent invention mentioned above may be realized relatively easily, byreading and running the computer program from a record medium, such as aROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, storing the computerprogram therein/thereon, or by downloading the computer program to thecomputer via the communication device and running it.

Incidentally, the computer program for a reproduction control accordingto the present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention as mentioned above.

The computer program for a record reproduction control according to thepresent invention is to control a computer disposed at the informationrecord reproduction apparatus according to the present invention asmentioned above (including various aspects thereof), the program makingthe computer function as at least a part of the first record device, thesecond record device, the third record device, the reproduction deviceand the control device.

According to the computer program for a record reproduction control ofthe invention, the information record reproduction apparatus accordingto the present invention mentioned above may be embodied relativelyeasily, by reading and running the computer program from a recordmedium, such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on,storing the computer program therein/thereon, or by downloading thecomputer program to the computer via the communication device andrunning it.

Incidentally, the computer program for a record reproduction controlaccording to the present invention may also take various aspects,corresponding to various aspects of the information record mediumaccording to the present invention as mentioned above.

The data structure including a control signal according to the presentinvention includes: a plurality of content informations; a plurality ofplay list sets each including a plurality of play list informationsdefining reproduction sequence of the plurality of content informations;and title information designating at least one play list set, whichcorresponds to the content informations to be reproduced, from among theplurality of play list sets to reproduce the plurality of contentinformations as a title, the title being a logical information unit ofthe plurality of content informations.

According to the data structure including the control signal of theinvention, similarly to the case of the information record mediumaccording to the present invention as mentioned above, it is possible torecord a large volume of content informations including a plurality ofprograms or a plurality of parental blocks or angle blocks and so on,efficiently as one title. Furthermore, it is relatively easy to selectand reproduce the desired program or blocks from these programs orblocks.

Incidentally, the data structure including the control signal accordingto the present invention may also take various aspects, corresponding tovarious aspects of the information record medium according to thepresent invention as mentioned above.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a computerprogram product for a record control in a computer-readable medium fortangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a computerdisposed at the aforementioned information record apparatus according tothe present invention (including various aspects), the program makingthe computer function as at least a part of the first record device, thesecond record device and the third record device.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a computerprogram product for a reproduction control in a computer-readable mediumfor tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by acomputer disposed at the information reproduction apparatus according tothe present invention (including various aspects), the program makingthe computer function as at least a part of the reproduction device andthe control device.

The above object of the present invention is achieved by a computerprogram product for a record reproduction control in a computer-readablemedium for tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by acomputer disposed at the information record reproduction apparatusaccording to the present invention (including various aspects), theprogram making the computer function as at least a part of the firstrecord device, the second record device, the third record device, thereproduction device and the control device.

According to the computer program product for the record control, thereproduction control, or the record reproduction control of theinvention, at least a part of the first record device, the second recorddevice, the reproduction device and the control device according to thepresent invention mentioned above may be embodied relatively easily, byreading and running the computer program product from a record medium,such as a ROM, a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, a hard disk and so on, storing thecomputer program therein/thereon, or by downloading the computer programproduct to the computer via the communication device and running it.More specifically, the computer program product may be made of computerreadable codes (or computer readable commands) to make the computerfunction as at least a part of the first record device, the secondrecord device, the third record device, the reproduction device and thecontrol device.

These effects and other advantages of the present invention become moreapparent from the following embodiments and examples.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates, in its upper part, a general plan view of an opticaldisc as an embodiment of the information record medium of the presentinvention; and illustrates, in its lower part, a schematic conceptualdiagram of an area structure in a radius direction corresponding to thegeneral plan view in the upper part.

FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic conceptual diagram (FIG. 2( a)) of aconventional program stream of MPEG2; a schematic conceptual diagram(FIG. 2( b)) of a transport stream of MPEG2 used in the embodiment; anda schematic conceptual diagram (FIG. 2( c)) of a program stream of MPEG2used in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating a data structure recordedon the optical disc in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram hierarchically illustrating a detail of adata structure in each title shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram hierarchically illustrating a detail of adata structure in each play list set shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a detail of adata structure in each play list set shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a detail of adata structure of each item shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a logicstructure of data in each title element shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a conceptual view schematically illustrating a logic structureof data in each title element shown in FIG. 4, in a case that each playlist set is composed of one play list.

FIG. 10 is a conceptual view schematically illustrating a detail of adata structure in each object shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 11 is a view schematically illustrating a situation that anelementary stream for a program #1, shown in the upper column, and anelementary stream for a program #2, shown in the middle column, aremultiplexed to form a transport stream for these two programs, on thebasis of a time scale in a horizontal direction.

FIG. 12 is a conceptual view conceptually illustrating an image of TSpackets multiplexed in one transport stream in the embodiment, as apacket arrangement based on the time scale.

FIG. 13 is a view schematically illustrating a logic structure of dataon an optical disc in the embodiment, focusing on development from alogic hierarchy to an object hierarchy or an entity hierarchy.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram schematically illustrating an informationrecord reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart indicating a recording operation (part 1) of theinformation record reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart indicating a recording operation (part 2) of theinformation record reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart indicating a recording operation (part 3) of theinformation record reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart indicating a recording operation (part 4) of theinformation record reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart indicating a reproduction operation of theinformation record reproduction apparatus in the embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a datalogical structure in an example of the title element 200-2 used in thefirst selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a flow chart indicating a reproduction operation in one playlist in the first selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a flow chart indicating a selection operation to select oneplay list in the first selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a datalogical structure in another example of the title element 200-2 used inthe second selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart indicating a reproduction operation in one playlist in the second selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a chart indicating a selection operation to select one playlist in the second selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a datalogical structure in another example of the title element 200-2 used inthe third selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating a detail of adata structure of the play list set control information of FIG. 26.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart indicating a reproduction operation by one playlist in the third selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 29 is a chart indicating a selection operation to select one playlist in the third selection scheme of the embodiment.

FIG. 30 is a view conceptually illustrating a general flow of an accessduring a reproduction in the embodiment, showing in association with alogic structure of an optical disc.

FIG. 31 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of a title information setin the embodiment.

FIG. 32 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of a disc header in theembodiment.

FIG. 33 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of title information in theembodiment.

FIG. 34 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of a play list set in theembodiment.

FIG. 35 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of a play list in theembodiment.

FIG. 36 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of a play list element inthe embodiment.

FIG. 37 is a conceptual diagram schematically illustrating ahierarchical structure in a specific example of an item definition tablein the embodiment.

FIG. 38 is a diagram schematically showing a specific example of a datastructure in an AU table constructed in the object information file andan ES map table associated with the AU table, in a specific example ofthe embodiment.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(Information Record Medium)

The information record medium of the present invention is discussed,with reference to its embodiments, as well as FIG. 1 to FIG. 13. Inthese embodiments, the information record medium of the presentinvention is applied to an optical disc capable of recording (writing)and reproducing (reading).

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 1, a fundamental structure of theoptical disc in an embodiment is discussed. FIG. 1 illustrates, in itsupper part, a general plan view of the optical disc structure having aplurality of areas, and illustrates conceptually, in its lower part, anarea structure in the radius direction corresponding to the upper part.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical disc 100 may be recorded by variousrecord methods, such as a magneto-optical method, a phase change method,capable of recording (writing) only once or a plurality of times.Similarly to DVDs, the optical disc 100 has a lead-in area 104, a dataarea 106 and a lead-out area 108, from the inner circumference around acenter hole 102 to the outer circumference, on the record surface of thedisc body measuring about 12 cm in diameter. In each area, groove tracksand land tracks may be alternately arranged, concentrically or spirallyaround the center hole 102. The groove tracks may be wobbled.Furthermore, pre-pits may be formed on one or both of these tracks.Incidentally, the present invention is not exclusively limited to theoptical disc having three areas mentioned above.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the structures of the transport stream(TS) and the program stream (PS) to be recorded onto the optical disc inthe embodiment are discussed. FIG. 2( a) schematically illustrates aMPEG2 program stream of a conventional DVD for a comparison, FIG. 2( b)schematically illustrates a MPEG2 transport stream (TS) structure.Furthermore, FIG. 2( c) schematically illustrates a MPEG2 program streamstructure in the present invention.

In FIG. 2( a), one program stream to be recorded in the conventional DVDincludes only one video stream for video data as main pictureinformation, along the time axis t, and further includes up to 8 audiostreams of audio data as audio information, up to 32 sub-picture streamsfor sub-picture data as sub-picture information. That is, the video datato be multiplexed at an arbitrary time point tx relates to only onevideo stream. For example, a plurality of video stream corresponding toa plurality of TV programs or a plurality of movies can not be includedat the same time in the program stream. It is not possible to multiplexa plurality of TV programs and transfer or record them, in a programstream format of a DVD having only one video stream, because at leastone video stream is required for each TV program, in order to transferor record the multiplexed TV program or the like involving a videoimage.

In FIG. 2( b), one transport stream (TS) to be recorded in the opticaldisc 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of video streamsas elementary streams (ES) for video data as main picture information,and further includes a plurality of audio streams as elementary streams(ES) for audio data as audio information and a plurality of sub-picturestreams as elementary streams (ES) for sub-picture as sub-pictureinformation. That is, the video data to be multiplexed at an arbitrarytime point tx relates to a plurality of video streams. For example, aplurality of video streams that may correspond to a plurality of TVprograms or a plurality of movies can be included at the same time inthe transport stream. Thus, it is possible to multiplex a plurality ofTV programs and transfer or record them, in the transport stream formathaving a plurality of video streams. However, the sub-picture stream isnot transferred in a digital broadcasting employing the existingtransport stream.

In FIG. 2( c), one program stream (PS) to be recorded onto the opticaldisc 100 of the present invention includes a plurality of video streamsfor video data as main picture information, and further includes aplurality of audio streams for audio data as audio information and aplurality of sub-picture streams for sub-picture data as sub-pictureinformation. That is, the video data to be multiplexed at an arbitrarytime point tx relates to a plurality of video streams. For example, aplurality of video streams that may correspond to a plurality of TVprograms or a plurality of movies can be included at the same time inthe program stream.

Incidentally, for convenience of explanation, the video stream, theaudio stream and the sub-picture stream are arranged in this order fromthe top in FIG. 2( a) to FIG. 2( c). Nevertheless, this order orsequence does not correspond to an order or sequence for multiplexingpacket by packet as mentioned below. In the transport stream,conceptually, a set of one video stream, two audio streams and twosub-picture streams corresponds to one program for example.

The optical disc 100 in the aforementioned embodiment is adapted tomulti-record the transport stream (TS) as shown in FIG. 2( b), i.e. torecord a plurality of programs at the same time. Furthermore, instead ofor in addition to this transport stream, the program stream (PS) asshown in FIG. 2( c) can be multi-recorded onto the same optical disc100.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 10, a structure of data to berecorded onto the optical disc 100 is discussed. FIG. 3 schematicallyillustrates the data structure to be recorded onto the optical disc 100.FIG. 4 schematically illustrates in detail the data structure in eachobject shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 schematically show a datastructure in detail respectively in each play list (P list) set shown inFIG. 3. FIG. 7 schematically shows a detail of the data structure ofeach item shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 schematically shows a logic structureof data in each title element shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 9 schematicallyshows a logic structure of data in each title element, in a case thateach play list set is composed of one play list. FIG. 10 schematicallyshows a detail of a data structure in each object shown in FIG. 3.

In the following explanation, the “title” means a reproduction unit, onthe basis of which a plurality of “play lists” are executed continuouslyor sequentially, and which is a logically large grouped unit, such asone movie or one TV program. The “play list set” means a bundle of “playlists”. For example, it may be a bundle of play lists to reproduce aplurality of content information having a special relationshipswitchable to each other in an angle reproduction or a parentalreproduction, or may be a bundle of play lists to reproduce contentinformation relating to a plurality of programs broadcasted in the sametime zone and collectively recorded. Alternatively, it may be a bundleof play lists to reproduce various content information, in one title,prepared on the basis of required function, for example on the basis ofvideo performance or audio performance required for the informationreproduction system, such as a high vision compatibility, a displayresolution, a surround speaker compatibility, a speaker layout and soon. The “play list” is information for storing the information requiredto reproduce the “object” and consists of a plurality of “items” eachstoring the information about a reproduction range of the object toaccess the object. The “object” is the entity information of contentsconstructing the aforementioned MPEG2 transport stream.

In FIG. 3, the optical disc 100 is provided with four files as a logicalstructure: a disc information file 110; a play list (P list) informationfile 120; an object information file 130; and an object data file 140.The disc 100 is further provided with a file system 105 for managingthese files. Incidentally, although FIG. 3 does not show directly thephysical data arrangement on the optical disc 100, it is possible toperform the recording in such a manner that the arrangement shown inFIG. 3 corresponds to another arrangement shown in FIG. 1. That is, itis possible to record the file system 105 or the like in the data recordarea 106 following the lead-in area 104 and further record the objectdata file 140 or the like in the data record area 106. The filestructure shown in FIG. 3 can be constructed, even without the lead-inarea 104 or the lead-out area 108 shown in FIG. 1.

The disc information file 110 is a file for storing general informationabout the entire optical disc 100, and stores the disc generalinformation 112, the title information table 114 and other information118. The disc general information 112 may store the total numbers oftitles or the like in the optical disc 100. The title information table114 includes a title pointer 114-1 and a plurality of titles 200 (title#1-#m) whose ID (identification) number or record address is indicatedby the title pointer. In each title 200, each title type (e.g.sequential reproduction type, branch type and so on), or the play list(P list) number constructing each title is recorded for each title, asthe logical information.

More specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, each title 200 ismade of a title general information 200-1, a plurality of title elements200-2 and other information 200-5. Furthermore, each title element 200-2is made of a pre-command 200PR, a pointer 200PT to a play list set, apost command 200PS and other information 200-6.

The pointer 200PT as an example of the first pointer informationaccording to the present invention indicates an ID number of the playlist set 126S stored in the play list information file 120 correspondingto content information to be reproduced on the basis of the titleelement 200-2 including the pointer 200PT. Incidentally, the pointer200PT may be information to indicate a record position of the play listset 126S corresponding to the content information to be reproduced onthe basis of the title element 200-2. The pre-command 200PR as anexample of the first pre-command according to the present inventionindicates a command to be executed before reproducing the contentinformation whose reproduction sequence is defined by one play list set126S designated by the pointer 200PT. The post command 200PS as anexample of the first post command according to the present invention isa command to be executed after reproducing the content information whosereproduction sequence is defined by said one play list set. Otherinformation 200-5 included in the title element 200-2 may include nextinformation to designate a title element for a next reproduction afterthe present reproduction of the present title element, for example.

Therefore, when the information reproduction apparatus reproduces theinformation record medium, the desired content information can bereproduced as a title element 200-2, by making access to the play listset 126S in accordance with the pointer 200PT and performing a controlto select play list corresponding to the desired program or the likefrom among a plurality of play lists 126 in the play list set 126S.Furthermore, reproducing such a title element 200-2 solely orsequentially makes it possible to reproduce one title 200. Furthermore,it is possible to execute commands to be executed before reproduction,in the content information whose reproduction sequence is defined by oneplay list set 126S designated by the pointer 200PT, according to thepre-command 200PR. Furthermore, it is possible to execute commands to beexecuted after the reproduction, in the content information whosereproduction sequence is defined by one play list set 126S designated bythe pointer 200PT, according to the post command 200PS. The post command200PS may be a command to branch the content information, a command toselect a next title and so on. Additionally, it is possible to reproducea next title element 200-2 to be reproduced after the presentlyreproduced title element 200-2, according to the “next information”included in other information 200-5.

Again in FIG. 3, the play list information file 120 stores the play list(P list) information table 121 indicating the logical structure of eachplay list. This table 121 is divided into the play list (P list)management information 122, the play list (P list) set pointer 124, aplurality of play list (P list) sets 126S (P list set #1-#n), and otherinformation 128. In this play list information table 121, the logicalinformation of each play list set 126S is stored in the order of theplay list set number. In other words, the order for storing the eachplay list set 126S is the play list set numbers. Furthermore, in theaforementioned title information table 114, the same play list set 126Scan be referred from a plurality of titles 200. That is, the play listset #p in the play list information table 121 may be pointed on thetitle information table 114, even in the case that title #q and title #ruse the same play list set #p.

As shown in FIG. 5, the play list set 126S includes play list setgeneral information 126-1, a plurality of play lists 126 (play list#1-#x), an item definition table 126-3, and other information 126-4.Each play list 126 includes a plurality of play list elements 126-2(play list element #1-#y), and other information 126-5. Furthermore,each play list element 126-2 includes a pre-command 126PR, a pointer126PT to item, a post command 126PS and other information 126-6.

The pointer 126PT as an example of the second pointer informationaccording to the present invention indicates an item identificationnumber defined by the item definition table 126-3 corresponding to thecontent information to be reproduced on the basis of the play listelement 126-2 including the pointer 126PT. Incidentally, the pointer126PT may be an item record position defined by the item definitiontable 126-3.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the play list set 126S, a plurality of items 204are defined in the item definition table 126-3. They are commonlybelonged to a plurality of play lists 126. Furthermore, as the play listset general information 126-1, a name of each play list 126 included inthe play list set 126S, UI (user interface information) such as areproduction time, address information to each item definition table126-3 and so on are recorded.

Again in FIG. 5, the pre-command 126PR as an example of the secondpre-command according to the present invention indicates a command to beexecuted before reproduction of one item 204 designated by the pointer126PT. The post command 126PS as an example of the second post commandaccording to the present invention indicates a command to be executedafter the reproduction of said one item 204. Other information 126-6included in the play list element 126-2 may include the next informationto designate the play list element 126-2 relating to the nextreproduction of the reproduction of the play list element 126-2.

As shown in FIG. 7, the item 204 is a minimum unit to be displayed. Inthe item 204, “in-point information” to indicate a start address of anobject and “out-point information” to indicate an end address of theobject are recorded. Incidentally, each of these “in-point information”and “out-point information” may indicate the address directly orindirectly as a time period or time point on the reproduction timescale. In the figure, if a plurality of ESs (Elementary Streams) aremultiplexed for the object designated by “stream object #m”, designatingthe item 204 means designating a special ES or special combination ofESs.

As shown in FIG. 8, the title element 200-2 logically consists of thepre-command 200PR or 126PR, the play list set 126S selected by thepointer 200PT, the post command 200PT or 126PS, and the next information200-6N. Therefore, a processing to select the play list 126 from amongthe play list set 126S is executed, according to any conditionreproducible in a system, such as video resolution.

As shown in FIG. 9, however, if the play list set designated by thepointer 200PT consists of only one play list, i.e. if the play list set126S shown in FIG. 3 is replaced by a single play list 126, the titleelement 200-2 logically consists of the pre-command 200PR or 126PR, theplay list 126 to be reproduced during the reproduction operation, thepost command 200PS or 126PS, and the next information 200-6N. In thiscase, once the play list set is designated for the reproduction, thesingle play list 126 is reproduced, regardless of the conditionreproducible in the system.

Again in FIG. 3, in the object information file 130, the storageposition (i.e. the logical address of the reproduction object) in theobject data file 140 for each item constructed in each play list 126,and/or various attribute information relating to the reproduction of theitem are stored. Particularly in this embodiment, the object informationfile 130 stores the AU table 131 including a plurality of AU (AssociateUnit) information 132I (AU #1-#q) as mentioned below, the ES (ElementaryStream) map table 134 and other information 135.

The object data file 140 stores a plurality of TS objects 142 for eachtransport stream (TS #1 object-TS #s object), i.e. entity data ofcontents to be actually reproduced.

Incidentally, four kinds of file discussed with reference to FIG. 3 canbe further divided into a plurality of files respectively to be stored.All these files may be managed by the file system 105. For example, theobject data file 140 can be divided into a plurality of files such asobject data file #1, object data file #2 and so on.

As shown in FIG. 10, the TS object 142 shown in FIG. 3, as a logicallyreproducible unit, may be divided into a plurality of aligned units 143each having 6 kB of data amount. The head of the aligned units 143 isaligned with the head of the TS object 142. Each aligned unit 143 isfurther divided into a plurality of source packets 144 each having 192Bof data amount. The source packet 144 is a physically reproducible unit,on the basis of which (i.e. packet by packet) at least the video data,the audio data and the sub-picture data from among the data on theoptical disc 100 are multiplexed, and other information may bemultiplexed in the same manner. Each source packet 144 includes thecontrol information 145 having 4B of data amount to control thereproduction, such as the packet arrival time stamp or the likeindicating the reproduction start time point of the TS (TransportStream) packet on the reproduction time scale, and includes the TSpacket 146 having 188B of data amount. The TS packet 146 (also referredto as “TS packet payload”) has a packet header 146 a at its headportion. The video data may be packetized as the “video packet”, theaudio data may be packetized as the “audio packet”, or the sub-picturedata may be packetized as the “sub-picture packet”, otherwise other datamay be packetized.

Next, with reference to FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, an explanation is made onthe multi-recording of the video data, the audio data, the sub-picturedata and the like in the transport stream format as shown in FIG. 2( b),by the TS packet 146 shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 11 conceptually illustratesthat the elementary stream (ES) for program #1 (PG1) in the upper stageand the elementary stream (ES) for program #2 (PG2) in the middle stageare multiplexed, and the transport stream (TS) for these two programs(PG1&2) is formed, under an assumption that a horizontal axis is definedas a time axis. FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates an image of the TSpackets multiplexed in one transport stream (TS), as a packet arrayalong the time (sic).

As shown in FIG. 11, the elementary stream for program #1 (in the upperstage) may be formed by discretely arranging TS packets 146 obtained bypacketizing the video data for program #1, along the time axis. Theelementary stream for program #2 (in the middle stage) may be formed bydiscretely arranging TS packets obtained by packetizing the video datafor program #2, along the time axis. Then, these TS packets 146 aremultiplexed so that the transport stream (in the lower stage) for twoprograms is made. Incidentally, omitted for convenience of explanationin FIG. 11, the elementary stream made of TS packets obtained bypacketizing the audio data as the elementary stream for program #1,and/or the sub-picture stream made of TS packets obtained by packetizingthe sub-picture data may be multiplexed similarly, as shown in FIG. 2(b). In addition to this, the elementary stream made of TS packetsobtained by packetizing the audio data, as the elementary stream forprogram #2, and the sub-picture stream made of TS packets obtained bypacketizing the sub-picture data may be multiplexed similarly.

As shown in FIG. 12, in this embodiment, a plurality of TS packets 146multiplexed as such forms one TS stream. Then, a plurality of TS packets146 in the multiplexed form is multi-recorded onto the optical disc 100,with the information such as the packet arrival time stamp 145 and thelike being added. Incidentally, in FIG. 12, the TS packet 146 consistingof the data forming program #i (i=1, 2, 3) is indicated by “element (i0j)”, wherein, j=1, 2, . . . ) is a sequential number for each streamcomposing the program. This (i0 j) is defined as a packet ID which is anidentification number of the TS packet 146 for each elementary stream.This packet ID is fixed at an inherent value for a plurality of TSpackets 146 to be multiplexed at the same time point, so that theplurality of TS packets 146 are distinguished from each other even ifmultiplexed at the same time point.

Furthermore, in FIG. 12, the PAT (Program Association Table) and the PMT(Program Map Table) are also packetized by the TS packet 146 unit andmultiplexed. The PAT among them stores a table indicating a plurality ofPMT packet IDs. Particularly, the PAT is defined by MPEG2 standard sothat (000) is given as a predetermined packet ID, as shown in FIG. 12.That is, from among a plurality of packets multiplexed at the same timepoint, the TS packet 146 obtained by packetizing the PAT is detected, asthe TS packet 146 whose packet ID is (000). The PMT stores a tableindicating the packet ID for each elementary stream forming each programin one or more programs. Any packet ID can be given to the PMT, theirpacket IDs are indicated by the PAT detectable with the packet ID (000)as mentioned above. Therefore, among a plurality of packets multiplexedat the same time point, the TS packets 146 obtained by packetizing thePMT (i.e. TS packets 146 to which packet IDs (100), (200) and (300) aregiven in FIG. 12) are detected on the basis of the PAT.

In the case that the transport stream as shown in FIG. 12 is transferreddigitally, the tuner refers to the PAT and the PMT constructed as suchand thereby extracts the multiplexed packets corresponding to thedesired elementary stream and decodes the extracted packets.

In this embodiment, these PAT and PMT are included as the TS packets 146to be stored in the TS object 142 shown in FIG. 10. That is, when thetransport stream as shown in FIG. 12 is transferred, the transferredstream can be directly recorded onto the optical disc 100, which is agreat advantage.

Furthermore in this embodiment, these PAT and PMT recorded as such arenot referred to when the optical disc 100 is reproduced. Instead,referring to the AU table 131 and the ES map table 134, shown in FIG. 3and mentioned in detail later, makes it possible to perform thereproduction effectively and apply to the complicated multi-visionreproduction or the like. For this, in this embodiment, a relationshipbetween packets and the elementary stream obtained by referring to thePAT and the PMT on decoding or recording for example is stored in theobject information file 130, in a form of AU table 131 and ES map table134, without packetizing or multiplexing.

Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the logical structure of data on theoptical disc 100 is discussed. FIG. 13 schematically illustrates thelogical structure of data on the optical disc 100, focusing on thedevelopment from the logic hierarchy to the object hierarchy or theentity hierarchy.

In FIG. 13, one or more titles 200 that are a logical large unit such asone movie or one TV program are recorded on the optical disc 100. Eachtitle 200 includes one or more title elements 200-2. Each title element200-2 logically consists of a plurality of play list sets 126S. In eachtitle element 200-2, the plurality of play list sets 126S may have asequential structure or may have a branch structure.

Incidentally, in the case of a simple logical structure, one titleelement 200-2 consists of one play list set 126S. Furthermore, one playlist set 126S consists of one play list 126. On the other hand, it ispossible to refer to one play list set 126S by a plurality of titleelements 200-2 or a plurality of titles 200.

Each play list 126 is logically made of a plurality of items (playitems) 204. In each play list 126, a plurality of items 204 may have thesequential structure or may have the branch structure. On the otherhand, it is possible to refer to one item 204 by a plurality of playlists 126. The aforementioned in-point information and out-pointinformation recorded on/in the item 204 logically designates thereproduction range of the TS object 142. Then, the object information130 d of the logically designated reproduction range is referred to andthereby the reproduction range of the TS object 142 is physicallydesignated, via the file system finally. Here, the object information130 d includes various information to reproduce the TS object 142, suchas the attribute information of the TS object 142, the ES addressinformation 134 d and the like required for the data search in the TSobject 142 (Incidentally, the ES map table 134 shown in FIG. 3 includesa plurality of ES address information 134 d).

Then, when the information record and reproduce apparatus reproduces theTS object 142 as mentioned below, a physical address to be reproduced inthe TS object 142 is obtained from the item 204 and the objectinformation 130 d so that a desired elementary stream is reproduced.

Incidentally, the EP (Entry Pass) map including a plurality of ESaddress information 134 d, shown within the object information of FIG.13, herein indicates an object information table in which the AU table131 and the ES map table 134 are listed.

Thus, in this embodiment, the in-point information and out-pointinformation recorded on/in the item 204, as well as the ES addressinformation 134 d recorded in the ES map table 134 (see FIG. 3) of theobject information 130 d make it possible to perform the associationfrom the logic hierarchy to the object hierarchy in the reproductionsequence so that the elementary stream is reproduced.

As discussed above, in this embodiment, units of the TS packet 146 aremultiplexed and recorded on the optical disc 100. Thereby, the transportstream including a plurality of elementary streams as shown in FIG. 2(b) can be recorded onto the optical disc 100. In this embodiment, in thecase that digital broadcasting is recorded onto the optical disc 100, aplurality of programs can be recorded at the same time, within therestriction of the record rate. Nevertheless, a record method isemployed herein, in which a plurality of programs are multiplexed andrecorded for one TS object 142. Now, an explanation is made on anembodiment of the information record reproduction apparatus capable ofperforming such a record processing.

(Information Record Reproduction Apparatus)

Next, with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 19, an embodiment of theinformation record reproduction apparatus of the present invention isdiscussed. Here, FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the information recordreproduction apparatus, and FIGS. 15 to 19 illustrate the operationalflow.

In FIG. 14, the information record reproduction apparatus 500 is roughlydivided into a reproduction system and a record system. The apparatus500 is constructed to record the information onto the optical disc 100mentioned above and reproduce the information recorded thereon/therein.In this embodiment, the information record reproduction apparatus 500 isthus for recording and reproduction. Nevertheless, an embodiment of theinformation record apparatus according to the present invention can beconstructed basically with the record system of the apparatus 500 and anembodiment of the information reproduction apparatus according to thepresent invention can be constructed basically with the reproductionsystem of the apparatus 500.

The information record reproduction apparatus 500 is provided with: anoptical pickup 502; a servo unit 503; a spindle motor 504; a decoder506; a demultiplexer 508; a video decoder 511; an audio decoder 512; asub-picture decoder 513; an adder 514; a still picture decoder 515; asystem controller 520; a memory 530; a memory 540; a memory 550; amodulator 606; a formatter 608; a TS object generator 610; a videoencoder 611; an audio encoder 612; and a sub-picture encoder 613. Thesystem controller 520 includes a file system/logical structure datagenerator 521 and a file system/logical structure data reader 522.Furthermore, the memory 530 and a user interface 720 to give a userinput such as title information are connected to the system controller520.

Among these constitutional elements, the decoder 506, the demultiplexer508, the video decoder 511, the audio decoder 512, the sub-picturedecoder 513, the adder 514, the still picture decoder 514, the memory540 and the memory 550 mainly constructs the reproduction system. On theother hand, among these constitutional elements, the modulator 606, theformatter 608, the TS object generator 610, the video encoder 611, theaudio encoder 612 and the sub-picture encoder 613 mainly constructs therecord system. The optical pickup 502, the servo unit 503, the spindlemotor 504, the system controller 520, the memory 530 and the userinterface 720 to give the user input such as title information aregenerally shared for both the reproduction system and the record system.Furthermore, for the record system, a TS object data source 700 (or a PSobject data source 700, or a still picture data source 700 such as bitmap data, JPEG data and the like); a video data source 711; an audiodata source 712; and a sub-picture data source 713 are prepared.Furthermore, the file system/logical structure data generator 521disposed in the system controller 520 is used mainly in the recordsystem, and the file system/logical structure reader 522 is used mainlyin the reproduction system.

The optical pickup 502 irradiates the optical disc 100 with a light beamLB such as a laser beam, at the first power as reading light for thereproduction, and at the second power with the light beam LB beingmodified as writing light for recording. The servo unit 503 performs thefocus servo, the tracking servo and the like for the optical pickup 502,as well as the spindle servo for the spindle motor 504, under control ofthe control signal Sc1 outputted from the system controller 520, duringthe reproduction and recording. The spindle motor 504 is controlledunder the spindle servo by the servo unit 503, for rotating the opticaldisc 100 at a predetermined speed.

(i) Structure and Operation of Record System

Next, with reference to FIG. 14 to FIG. 18, a specific structure and theoperation of each constitutional element constructing the record systemof the information record and reproduction system 500 is explained ineach case.

(i-1) In the Case That the Already Generated Object is Used

This case is discussed, with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15.

In FIG. 14, the TS object data source 700 may be made of the memorystorage such as a video tape, a memory, for storing the TS object dataD1.

Firstly in FIG. 15, each title information (e.g. play list contentsetc.) to be logically constructed on the optical disc 100 using the TSobject data D1 is inputted into the system controller 520, as the userinput I2 such as the title information, via the user interface 720.Then, the system controller 520 imports the user input I2 such as thetitle information via the user interface 720 (step S21: Yes, and stepS22). In this case, the user interface 720, under control of the controlsignal Sc4 from the system controller 520, can perform the inputoperation in response to the contents to be recorded, such as theselection via the title menu screen. Incidentally, if the user input isalready performed (step S21: No), these processings are omitted.

Next, the TS object data source 700 outputs the TS object data D1, undercontrol of the control signal Sc8 to indicate the data reading from thesystem controller 520. Then, the system controller 520 imports the TSobject data D1 from the TS object data source 700 (step S23), andperforms the data array analysis (e.g. a record data length and thelike) of the TS object data D1, the analysis of each elementary streamstructure (e.g. understanding of ES_PID (elementary stream/packetidentification number)), on the basis of the PAT, the PMT and the likepacketized with the video data as mentioned above, due to the TSanalysis feature in the file system/logical structure data generator 521(step S24).

Next, the system controller 520 makes the file system/logical structuredata generator 521 generate the disc information file 110, the play listinformation file 120, the object information file 130 and the filesystem 105 (see FIG. 3), as the logical information file data D4, on thebasis of the analysis result of each elementary stream and the TS objectdata D1 data array, as well as the user input I2 such as the importedtitle information (step S25). The memory 530 is used to generate thislogical information file data D4.

Incidentally, variations in which the data about each elementary streamstructure information and the TS object data D1 data array may beprepared in advance are naturally understood or suggested, all of whichare encompassed within a scope of the embodiment.

In FIG. 14, the formatter 608 is for formatting the data array to storeboth the TS object data D1 and the logical information file data D4 onthe optical disc 100. More specifically, the formatter 608 is providedwith a switch Sw1 and a switch Sw2 and is switching-controlled by aswitch control signal Sc5 from the system controller 520. Whenformatting the TS object data D1, it connects the switch Sw1 to a{circle around (1)} side and the switch Sw2 to the {circle around (1)}side so as to output the TS object data D1 from the TS object datasource 700. Incidentally, the transmission control of the TS object dataD1 is performed by the control signal Sc8 from the system controller520. On the other hand, when formatting the logical information filedata D4, the formatter 608 is switching-controlled by the switch controlsignal Sc5 from the system controller 520, and connects the switch Sw2to a {circle around (2)} side so as to output the logical informationfile data D4.

At step S26 in FIG. 15, (i) the logical information file data D4 fromthe file system/logical structure data generator 521 at the step S25 or(ii) the TS object data D1 from the TS object data source 700 isoutputted through the formatter 608, under the switching-control by theformatter 608 as constructed above (step S26).

The selection output from the formatter 608 is transmitted to themodulator 606 as disc image data D5, and modulated by the modulator 606,and recorded onto the optical disc 100 through the optical pickup 502(step S27). The system controller 520 also executes the disc recordcontrol in this case.

Then, if both the logical information file data D4 generated at the stepS25 and the corresponding object data D1 have not been completelyrecorded yet, the operational flow returns to the step S26 to continuethe recording (step S28: No). Incidentally, there is no preference inthe record sequence of the logical information file data D4 and thecorresponding object data D1.

On the other hand, if the both have been already recorded, it is judgedwhether or not the recording onto the optical disc 100 is to be ended,on the basis of the presence or absence of an end command (step S29). Ifit is not to be ended (step S29: No), the operational flow returns tothe step S21 to continue the recording. On the other hand, if it is tobe ended (step S29: Yes), a series of record processing ends.

As described above, the information record reproduction apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of using the already preparedTS object.

Incidentally, the example in FIG. 15 shows that the logical informationfile data D4 and the corresponding object data D1 are outputted at thestep S26, after preparing the logical information file data D4 at thestep S25. However, it is also possible to output the object data D1and/or record the object data D1 onto the optical disc 100 before thestep S25, so that the logical information file data D4 is generatedand/or recorded after or in parallel with this recording.

Additionally, a PS object data source or a still picture data source maybe used instead of the TS object data source 700. In this case, therecording processing the same as in the case of the TS object data D1 asmentioned above is performed for the PS object data, or the sill picturedata such as bit map data, JPEG data and the like, instead of the TSobject data D1. Furthermore, instead of the TS object 142, the PS objectdata or the still picture data is stored in the object data file 140.Then, various logic information about the PS object data or the stillpicture data is generated under control of the system controller 520,and stored in the disc information file 110, the play list informationfile 120, the object information file 130 and the like.

(i-2) The Case of Receiving and Recording the Transport Stream on Air

This case is explained with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 16.Incidentally, in FIG. 16, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation is omitted asoccasion demands.

Again, in this case, the similar processing is performed, as is “thecase of using the already prepared object” described above. Therefore,the following explanation is focused on the differences from this case.

In the case of receiving and recording the transport stream on air, theTS object data source 700 is provided with a receiver (set top box) forreceiving the digital broadcast on air, for example, receives the TSobject data D1, and transmits it to the formatter 608 in real time (stepS41). At the same time, reception information D3 (i.e. informationcorresponding to the data transmitted through the receiver and theinterface of the system controller 520) including the programconstruction information and the belowmentioned ES_PID information,which are deciphered upon receiving, is imported into the systemcontroller 520 and is stored into the memory 530 (step S44).

In the meantime, the TS object data D1 outputted to the formatter 608 isoutputted to the modulator 606 under the switching-control by theformatter 608 (step S42), and is recorded onto the optical disc 100(step S43).

Along with these operations, using the program construction informationand the ES_PID information included in the reception information D3imported upon receiving and stored in the memory 530, the filesystem/logical structure data generator 521 prepares the logicalinformation file data D4 (step S24 and step S25). Then, after thecompletion of recording a series of the TS object data D1, this logicalinformation file data D4 is additionally recorded onto the optical disc100 (step S46 and step S47). Incidentally, these steps S24 and S25 maybe performed after the step S43.

Moreover, as the occasion demands (e.g. in the case of editing oneportion of the title, or the like), by adding the user input I2 of thetitle information and the like from the user interface 720 to theprogram construction information and the ES_PID information stored inthe memory 530, it is possible to prepare the logical information filedata D4 by the system controller 520 and additionally record this ontothe optical disc 100.

As described above, the information record reproduction apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of receiving the transportstream on air and recording it in real time.

Incidentally, if all the reception data obtained when broadcasting isonce stored into an archive apparatus, and then, if this is used as theobject source 700, the same processing as that in “the case of using thealready prepared object” will do.

(i-3) The Case of Recording the Video Data, the Audio Data and theSub-Picture Data

This case is explained with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 17.Incidentally, in FIG. 17, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation is omitted asoccasion demands.

In the case of recording the video data, the audio data, and thesub-picture data, which are individually prepared in advance, the videodata source 711, the audio data source 712, and the sub-picture datasource 713 are individually provided with the memory storage, such as avideo tape and a memory, and store a video data DV, an audio data DA,and a sub-picture data DS, respectively.

These data sources are controlled by the control signal Sc8 giving aninstruction for reading out the data from the system controller 520, andthey transmit the video data DV, the audio data DA, and the sub-picturedata DS, to the video encoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and thesub-picture encoder 613, respectively (step S61). Then, the videoencoder 611, the audio encoder 612, and the sub-picture encoder 613execute a predetermined type of encode processing (step S62).

The TS object generator 610 is controlled by a control signal Sc6 fromthe system controller 520 and converts the data encoded in this mannerto the TS object data constituting the transport stream (step S63). Inthis case, the data array information of each TS object data (e.g. arecord data length and the like) and the construction information ofeach elementary stream (e.g. the ES_PID, as described later, and thelike) are transmitted as information I6 from the TS object generator 610to the system controller 520 and are stored into the memory 530 (stepS66).

On the other hand, the TS object data generated by the TS objectgenerator 610 is transmitted to the {circle around (2)} side of theswitch Sw1 of the formatter 608. Namely, when formatting the TS objectdata from the TS object generator 610, the formatter 608 isswitching-controlled by the switch control signal Sc5 from the systemcontroller 520 to shift the switch Sw1 to the {circle around (2)} sideand the switch Sw2 to the {circle around (1)} side, thereby outputtingthe TS object data (step S64). Then, this TS object data is recordedonto the optical disc 100 through the modulator 606 (step S65).

Along with these operations, using the data array information of each TSobject data and the construction information of each elementary streamimported as the information I6 into the memory 530, the filesystem/logical structure data generator 521 prepares the logicalinformation file data D4 (step S24 and step S25). Then, after thecompletion of recording a series of the TS object data D2, the logicalinformation file data D4 is additionally recorded onto the optical disc100 (step S67 and step S68). Incidentally, the step S24 and the step S25may be processed after the step S65.

Moreover, as the occasion demands (e.g. in the case of editing oneportion of the title), by adding the user input I2 such as the titleinformation and the like from the user interface 720 to theseinformation stored in the memory 530, it is possible to prepare thelogical information file data D4 by the file system/logical structuregenerator 521 and additionally record this onto the optical disc 100.

As described above, the information record reproduction apparatus 500performs the record processing in the case of recording the video data,the audio data, and the sub-picture data, which are individuallyprepared in advance.

Incidentally, this record processing is applicable even when recordingan arbitrary content the user has.

(i-4) The Case of Recording the Data by Authoring

This case is explained with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 18.Incidentally, in FIG. 18, the same steps as those in FIG. 15 have thesame step reference numbers, and their explanation is omitted asoccasion demands.

In this case, by combining the above described three types of recordprocessing in the three cases, an authoring system generates the TSobject, the logical information file data, and the like in advance (stepS81), and then completes the processing until switching-controlperformed at the formatter 608 (step S82). Then, the informationobtained by this operation is transmitted, as the disc image data D5, tothe modulator 606 equipped in front of and/or behind an original disccutting machine (step S83), and this cutting machine prepares theoriginal disc (step S84).

(ii) Structure and Operation in Reproduction System

Next, the specific structure and operation of each constitutionalelement constituting the reproduction system of the information recordreproduction apparatus 500 is explained with reference to FIG. 14 andFIG. 19.

In FIG. 14, via the user interface 720, the title to be reproduced fromthe optical disc 100, its reproduction condition and the like areinputted to the system controller 520, as the user input I2 such as thetitle information and the like. In this case, under control of thecontrol signal Sc4 from the system controller 520, the input processingsuitable for the content to be reproduced, such as a selection on atitle menu screen, can be achieved by the user interface 720.

Responding to this, the system controller 520 controls the discreproduction with respect to the optical disc 100, and the opticalpickup 502 transmits a reading signal S7 to the demodulator 506.

The demodulator 506 demodulates a recorded signal recorded onto theoptical disc 100 from this reading signal S7, and outputs it asdemodulated data D8. The logical information file data (i.e. the filesystem 105, the disc information file 110, the P list information file120, and the object information file 130, shown in FIG. 3) included inthis demodulated data D8 as being a not-multiplexed information part issupplied to the system controller 520. On the basis of this logicalinformation file data, the system controller 520 executes variousreproduction control, such as processing of determining a reproductionaddress and controlling the optical pickup 502.

On the other hand, depending on whether the TS object data is includedas the multiplexed information part in the demodulated data D8, orwhether the still picture data is included, or whether both data areincluded, the shift switch Sw3 is shifted to {circle around (1)} side(demultiplexer 508 side) or shifted to {circle around (2)} side (stilldecoder 515 side), under control of the control signal Sc10 from thesystem controller 520. Thereby, the TS object data is selectivelysupplied to the demultiplexer 508, and the still picture data isselectively supplied to the still picture decoder 515.

Then, as for the TS object data included as the multiplexed informationpart in the demodulated data D8, the demultiplexer 508 demultiplexes theTS object data, under control of the control signal Sc2 from the systemcontroller 520. Here, when the access to the reproduction positionaddress is terminated under the reproduction control by the systemcontroller 520, the control signal Sc2 is transmitted to start thedemultiplexing.

The video packet, the audio packet and the sub-picture packet aretransmitted respectively from the demultiplexer 508 and suppliedrespectively to the video decoder 511, the audio decoder 512 and thesub-picture decoder 513. Then, the video data DV, the audio data DA andthe sub-picture data DS are decoded, respectively. In this case, thesub-picture data DS is supplied to the adder 514 via the memory 540. Thesub-picture data DS is outputted from the memory 540, selectively or ata predetermined timing, under control of the control signal Sc5 from thesystem controller 520, so as to be super-imposed on the video data DV,if needed. That is, in comparison with a case that the sub-picture dataoutputted from the sub-picture decoder 513 is directly super-imposed, itis easy to control the timing of the super-imposing, or to judge theneed for the super-imposing. For example, under output control of thecontrol signal Sc5, it is possible to select whether or not a captionusing the sub-picture is displayed over the main picture, or whether ornot a menu screen using the sub-picture is displayed.

Incidentally, although the packets obtained by packetizing the PAT orthe PMT, included in the transport stream shown in FIG. 6, are includedas a part of the demodulated data D8, respectively, they are discardedor abandoned at the demultiplexer 508.

The adder 514 is controlled by a control signal Sc3 giving aninstruction of the mixing from the system controller 520, and mixes orsuperimposes in a predetermined timing the video data DV and thesub-picture data DS, which are respectively decoded at the video decoder511 and the sub-picture decoder 513. The result is outputted as a videooutput from the information record reproduction apparatus 500 to a TVmonitor, for example.

On the other hand, the audio data DA decoded at the audio decoder 512 isoutputted as an audio output from the information record reproductionapparatus 500 to an external speaker, for example.

In the case that the still picture data is included in the decoded dataD8, the still picture data is supplied to the still picture decoder 515,via the shift switch Sw3 controlled by the control signal Sc10 from thesystem controller 520, instead of or in addition to such a reproductionoperation or processing of the video data DV or the sub-picture data DS.Then, the still picture data such as the decoded bit map data, JPEG dataand the like is added to the adder 514 via the shift switch Sw4, withoutsubjected to any processing, under control of the control signal Sc11from the system controller 520. Alternatively, it may be temporarilystored in the memory 550 via the shift switch Sw4. The still picturedata is outputted from the memory 550, selectively or at a predeterminedtiming, under control of the control signal Sc12 from the systemcontroller 520, and then supplied to the adder 514 via the shift switchSw5. Thereby, if needed, the video data DV or the sub-picture data DS issuper-imposed over the still picture data or vice versa. That is, incomparison with a case that the still picture data outputted from thestill picture decoder 515 is directly super-imposed, it is easy tocontrol the timing of the super-imposing, or to judge the need for thesuper-imposing. For example, under output control of the control signalSc12, it is possible to select whether or not a still picture such as amenu screen or a window screen using the still picture data or a stillpicture as a background image using the still picture data is displayedon the main picture of the sub-picture.

Additionally, under control of the control signal Sc13 from the systemcontroller 520, the still picture data may be outputted via anotherroute (not shown), with the aid of the shift switch Sw5 shifted to{circle around (2)} side. Alternatively, no still picture data may beoutputted from the shift switch Sw5 shifted to {circle around (2)} side.

Here, the specific example of a reproduction processing routine by thesystem controller 520 is explained with reference to a flow chart ofFIG. 19.

In FIG. 19, it is assumed that as an initial condition, the recognitionof the optical disc 100 in the reproduction system and the recognitionof a volume structure and a file structure by the file system 105 (seeFIG. 3) have been already completed by the system controller 520 and thefile system/logical structure data reader 522 inside of the systemcontroller 520. Here, an explanation is made on the operational flowafter obtaining the total number of the total titles from the discgeneral information 112 in the disc information file 110 and thenchoosing or selecting one title from among them.

Firstly, the choice or selection of the title is performed via the userinterface 720 (step S211). Responding to this, the system controller 520obtains the information about the reproduction sequence from a readingresult of the file system/logical structure data reader 522.Incidentally, in the selection of the title 200, the desired titleelement(s) 200-2 (see FIG. 4) may be selected from among a whole titleelements 200-2 composing the title 200, with the aid of an externalinput operation by the user with using a remote controller and the like,or one title element 200-2 may be selected automatically depending on asystem parameter or the like adjusted for the information recordreproduction apparatus 500.

Then, contents of a plurality of play lists 126 composing a play listset 126S corresponding to the selected title 200 (title element 200-2)are obtained. Here, as a processing at a logic hierarchy, theinformation about the each play list 126 structure and each itemcomposing each play list (see FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 13) is obtained(step S212).

Then, contents of the play list 126 to be reproduced is obtained fromamong a plurality of play lists 126 obtained at step S212. For example,herein, the reproduction is started from a play list #1, and thecontents of the corresponding play list 126 is obtained (step S213). Thecontents of the play list 126 may be one or more play list elements126-2 (see FIG. 5), which are obtained by the obtaining processing atstep S213.

Then, the pre-command 126PR (see FIG. 5) included in this play list 126is executed (step S214). Incidentally, it is possible for thepre-command 126PR to select one from among a plurality of play lists126, which composes the play list set 126S with a certain relationshipof the plurality of play lists 126. If the play list element 126-2composing the play list 126 does not have the pre-command 126PR, thisprocessing is omitted.

Then, the TS object 142 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 10) to be reproduced isdetermined (step S215), on the basis of the item 204 (see FIG. 5 to FIG.7) identified by the play list 126 obtained at step S213. Morespecifically, on the basis of the item 204, the object information file130 (see FIG. 3) relating to the TS object 142 as the reproductiontarget is obtained and a stream number, address and the like of the TSobject 142 to be reproduced are identified.

Incidentally, in this embodiment, also the belowmentioned AU(Association Unit) information 132I and PU (Presentation Unit)information 302I are obtained as the information stored in the objectinformation file 130. On the basis of these informations, theaforementioned logic hierarchy is associated with the object hierarchy(see FIG. 13).

Then, the reproduction of the TS object 142 determined at step S215 isactually started. That is, on the basis of the processing at the logichierarchy, the processing at the object hierarchy is started (stepS216).

During the reproduction of the TS object 142, it is judged whether ornot the next item 204 composing the play list 126 to be reproducedexists (step S217). Then, insofar as the next item 204 exists (stepS217: Yes), the process goes back to the step S215 to repeat theaforementioned determination and the reproduction of the TS object 142.

On the other hand, at the judgement at step S217, if it is judged thatthe next item 204 does not exist (step S217: No), the post command 126PS(see FIG. 5) corresponding to the presently executed play list 126 isexecuted (step S218). Incidentally, if the play list element 126-2composing the play list 126 does not have the post command 126PS, thisprocessing is omitted.

Then, it is judged whether or not the next play list 126 composing theselected title 200 exists (step S219). If exists (step S219: Yes), theprocess goes back to the step S213 to repeat the processings followingobtaining the play list 126 to be reproduced.

On the other hand, at the judgement at step S219, if it is judged thatthe next play list 126 does not exist (step S219: No), i.e. if the allplay lists 126 to be reproduced corresponding to the title 200 selectedat step S211 are completely reproduced, a series of reproductionoperations or processings is terminated.

As discussed above, the information record reproduction apparatus 500 inthis embodiment reproduces the optical disc 100.

Particularly in this embodiment, (i) with regard to the structure andoperation of the record system mentioned above, for example in the caseof a DVD-ROM application (i.e. in the case of (i-4)), the contentinformation composing a plurality of blocks, such as a plurality ofparental blocks or angle blocks is recorded as the transport streams andthe like. On the other hand, for example in the case of a DVD recorderapplication (i.e. in the case of (i-2)), the content informationcomposing a plurality of programs streamed into the same transfer waveor the same transfer signal is recorded as the transport stream or thelike. Alternatively, a plurality of various content informations aboutthe same title, which are prepared for each function demand such as avideo reproduction function demand (video performance) or an audioreproduction function demand (audio performance) required for theinformation reproduction system, are recorded as the transport streamsor the like, such as a pair of the high-vision compatible contentinformation and the normal video compatible content information, a pairof the surround speaker compatible content information and the monauralcompatible content information. Then, in such a recording, it isrecorded logically as one title 200 from the start of the recording tothe end of the recording, and a plurality of play list sets 126S eachincluding a plurality of play lists 126 for the plurality of contentinformation are recorded.

Particularly in this embodiment, (ii) with regard to the structure andoperation of the reproduction system, in the processing of the logichierarchy from the step S211 to the step S214 of FIG. 19 and theprocessing of associating the logic hierarchy with the object hierarchyat the step S215, any one of a plurality of play lists 126 included ineach play list set 126S designated by the title 200 is selected, and thecontent information is reproduced in the reproduction sequence definedby the selected play list. For example, in the DVD recorder applicationor the DVD-ROM application, the desired content information can bereproduced as the title 200, by selecting the play list information,from among a plurality of play list informations included in each playlist set 126S recorded as one title, which corresponds to the desiredcontent information, such as a desired program, a desired parentalblock, a desired angle block, a version actually reproducible in eachinformation reproduction system in view of the functionality, a versioncapable of using fully or efficiently the functionality of eachinformation reproduction system.

(Selection Scheme of Play List in Play List Set)

Now, with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG. 29, an explanation is made onvarious specific examples of the aforementioned information recordreproduction apparatus 500 to select appropriately the play list 126corresponding to the desired content information from among the playlist set 126S included in the reproduced play list information file 120.The present invention is not limited to the specific examples explainedherein. For example, the advantage of the present invention obtained bycollecting as a play list set 126S the play lists 126 which define thereproduction sequences of the content informations each having a strongrelationship to each other, such as a plurality of programs recorded inthe same time zone, or the parental block or angle block, is exhibitedalso by other selection scheme, appropriately depending on the contentof those selection schemes.

Particularly in the following three selection schemes, the play list isselected, on the basis of the data structure of the title element 200-2discussed with reference to FIG. 8, and the reproduction operation ofthe information reproduction apparatus 500 discussed with reference toFIG. 14 based on the title element 200-2.

(First Selection Scheme)

Firstly, with reference to FIG. 20 to FIG. 22, an explanation is made onthe first selection scheme. FIG. 20 schematically illustrates a datalogical structure in an example of the title element 200-2 (see FIG. 8)used in the first selection scheme. FIG. 21 is a flow chart indicating areproduction operation by one play list in the first selection scheme.FIG. 22 is a flow chart indicating a selection operation to select saidone play list.

As shown in FIG. 20, the title element 200-2 a in the first selectionscheme includes, as in the case of the title element 200-2 as shown inFIG. 8, the pre-command 200PR, the play list set 126S designated by thepointer 200PT, the post command 200PS and the next information 200-6N.Particularly in the title element 200-2 a, the pre-command 200PR isprovided with a play list selection commands list in which selectionconditions are described for each play list 126, in addition to thecommands.

Therefore, as a command processing by the pre-command 200PR disposed atthe head of each title element 200-2 a, it is possible to select oneplay list 126 from among the play list set 126S, depending on anycondition reproducible in the system, such as the video resolution.

As shown in FIG. 21, in the first selection scheme, once thereproduction of the title element 200-2 a is started as a part of thetitle reproduction, the pre-command is firstly executed (step S101).Then, the play list 126 which is selected by the execution of thepre-command, is reproduced (step S102). Then, the post command 200PS isexecuted. Furthermore, the next information 200-6N is referred to (stepS104), and the reproduction of the title element 200-2 a is terminated,and the process is advanced to the reproduction of the next titleelement 200-2 a.

The selection of the play list by the pre-command 200PR may be performedas follows.

That is, in FIG. 22, the play list selection condition recorded in thepre-command 200PR is firstly read one by one for each play list (stepS111). In parallel with this, the selection judgement information isinputted into the information record reproduction apparatus 500 (stepS112). The selection judgement information may be user input informationdesignating one program from among programs recorded in the same timezones, or user input information to select the parental block or angleblock. Alternatively, it may be a system parameter set in dependenceupon the function of the information record reproduction apparatus 500such as the reproducible resolution, the reproducible channel number orthe like, or the set information to indicate a reproducible function setby the user.

Then, the informations obtained at the step S111 and S112 are comparedwith each other to judge whether or not the content of the selectionjudgement information obtained at the step S112 is matched to the playlist selection condition read at the step Sill (step S113). If itmatches (step S113: Yes), the play list 126 having the matchingselection condition is selected (step S114), and a series of selectionprocessings is terminated.

On the other hand, if it does not match (step S113: No), it is judgedwhether or not it is the last selection condition #n recorded in thepre-command 200PR (step S115). If it is not the last selection condition#n (step S115: No), the process goes back to the step S111 to read outthe next play list selection condition, and the processings after thenare repeatedly performed.

In such a repeat of processings, if it is the last selection condition#n (step S115: Yes), the selection judgement information from theinformation record reproduction apparatus 500 does not match any playlist selection condition. For this, after a predetermined alternativeprocessing is executed (step S116), a series of selection processings isterminated.

As discussed above, according to the first selection scheme, it ispossible to select the play list 126, title element 200-2 a of whichcorresponds to a desired content information such as a desired program,a desired parental block, a desired angle block, from among a pluralityof play lists 126 included in the play list set 126S, in accordance withthe pre-command 200PR. Alternatively, in view of the video reproductionfunction or the audio reproduction function, it is possible to selectthe play list 126 corresponding to the content information reproducibleby the information record reproduction apparatus 500.

(Second Selection Scheme)

Now, with reference to FIG. 23 to FIG. 25, an explanation is made on thesecond selection scheme. FIG. 23 schematically illustrates a datalogical structure in another example of the title element 200-2 (seeFIG. 8) used in the second selection scheme. FIG. 24 is a flow chartindicating a reproduction operation by one play list in the secondselection scheme. FIG. 25 is a chart indicating a selection operation toselect said one play list.

As shown in FIG. 23, the title element 200-2 b in the second selectionscheme includes, as in the case of the title element 200-2 shown in FIG.8, the pre-command 200PR, the play list set 126S designated by thepointer 200PT, the post command 200PS and the next information 200-6N.

Particularly in the title element 200-2 b, the attribute information isadded to each play list 126 stored in the play list set 126S. Here, the“attribute information” is information to indicate an attribute of thecontent information relating to the play list, for example, with regardto the video performance, what extent of video resolution is achieved,what extent of view angle is achieved respectively forprogressive/interleave, what extent of the refresh rate is achieved,what codec is employed, or whether it is compatible with the hi-visionor normal vision. On the other hand, with regard to the audioperformance, it means an information to indicate the attribute of thecontent information relating to the play list indicating what thechannel assignment is employed, what codec is employed, what thesampling frequency is employed, what sample bit is employed, or whetherit is compatible with surround speakers or stereo or monaural.

Furthermore, particularly in the title element 200-2 b, the play listset control information 126SD-1 including a selectable flag to indicatewhether or not a plurality of play lists 126 are selectable is stored.

Therefore, at the reproduction of the information record medium, theselection processing can be performed appropriately, in accordance withthe selectable flag in the play list set control information 126SD-1,for example. Furthermore, if the selectable flag indicates that it isselectable, the information record reproduction apparatus 500 comparesthe system parameter such as the video resolution with the attributeinformation, and thereby selects the play list 126 optimum to theinformation record reproduction apparatus 500 in the play list set 126S.Alternatively, depending on the attribute information added to the playlist 126, the control is allowed for selecting the play list 126corresponding to the desired content information, such as the desiredprogram, the desired video resolution, the desired parental block, thedesired angle block or the like, from among the play lists 126 includedin the play list set 126S.

Incidentally, if the selectable flag does not indicate that it isselectable, the play list set control information 126SD-1 furtherretains the number of the play list 126 to be selected uniquely. Suchplay list set control information 126SD-1 is stored for each titleelement 200-2 b.

As shown in FIG. 24, in the second selection scheme, once thereproduction of the title element 200-2 b is started as a part of thetitle reproduction, it is firstly judged whether or not the play list isselectable by referring to the selectable flag (step S121). Here, if itis judged selectable (step S121: Yes), the play list 126 is selectedfrom the play list set 126S (step S123). Then, the pre-command 200PRincluded in the play list set 126S is executed (step S124). Next, theselected play list 126 is reproduced (step S125), and then the postcommand 200PS is executed (step S126). Furthermore, the next information200-2 b is referred to (step S127) to terminate the reproduction of thetitle element 200-2 b, and the process is advanced to the next titleelement 200-2 b.

On the other hand, if not selectable at the step S121 (step S121: No),the play list number to be selected uniquely and stored in the play listset control information 126SD-1 is referred to (step S122), so that theprocessings after the step S124 is continued under assumption that theplay list 126 of this number is selected.

From among these processings, the selection of the play list on thebasis of the attribute information of the play list 126 and the playlist set control information 126SD-1 may be performed as follows.

That is, in FIG. 25, the attribute informations added to each play list126 are read for each play list in the play list set 126S (step S131).In parallel with this, the selection judgement information is inputtedinto the information record reproduction apparatus 500 (step S132). Theselection judgement information may be user input information toindicate one program from among programs recorded in the same time zone,or user input information to select the parental block or angle block.Alternatively, it may be a system parameter set in dependence upon thefunction of the information record reproduction apparatus 500 such asthe reproducible resolution, the reproducible channel number or thelike, or the set information to indicate a reproducible function set bythe user. Then, the informations obtained at the step S131 and the stepS132 are compared with each other to judge whether or not the contentsof the selection judgement information obtained at the step S132 matcheswith the attribute of the play list indicated by the attributeinformation read at the step S131 (step S133). If it matches (step S133:Yes), the play list 126 having the matching attribute is selected (stepS134), and a series of selection processings is terminated.

On the other hand, if it does not match (step S133: No), it is judgedwhether or not it is the last play list 126 (i.e. play list #m) in theplay list set 126S (step S135). If it is not the last play list 126(step S135: No), the process goes back to the step S131 to read theattribute information of the next play list, and the processings afterthen are repeatedly performed.

In such a repeat of processings, if it is the last play list 126 (stepS135: Yes), the selection judgement information from the informationrecord reproduction apparatus 500 does not match any play listattribute. For this, after a predetermined alternative processing isexecuted (step S136), a series of selection processings is terminated.

As discussed above, according to the first selection scheme, it ispossible to select the play list 126, title element 200-2 a of whichcorresponds to a desired content information such as a desired program,a desired parental block, a desired angle block, from among a pluralityof play lists 126 included in the play list set 126S, in accordance withthe attribute information and the selectable flag. Alternatively, inview of the video reproduction function or the audio reproductionfunction, it is possible to select the play list 126 corresponding tothe content information reproducible by the information recordreproduction apparatus 500.

(Third Selection Scheme)

Now, with reference to FIG. 26 to FIG. 29, an explanation is made on thethird selection scheme. FIG. 26 schematically illustrates a data logicalstructure in another example of the title element 200-2 (see FIG. 8)used in the third selection scheme. FIG. 27 schematically illustratesthe detail of the data structure of the play list set controlinformation thereamong. FIG. 28 is a flow chart indicating areproduction operation by one play list in the second third scheme. FIG.29 is a chart indicating a selection operation to select said one playlist.

As shown in FIG. 26, the title element 200-2 c in the third selectionscheme includes, as in the case of the title element 200-2 shown in FIG.8, the pre-command 200PR, the play list set 126S designated by thepointer 200PT, the post command 200PS and the next information 200-6N.

Particularly in the title element 200-2 c, the play list set controlinformation 126SD-2 is stored to store the select conditions for eachplay list.

As shown in FIG. 27, with regard to the play list set controlinformation 126SD-2, the selection conditions #1 to #m, such as thevideo resolution required for the reproduction, whether or not the highvision is required for the reproduction, whether or not the surroundspeaker is required for the reproduction, whether or not the stereo isrequired for the reproduction, are stored in association with the playlist numbers #1 to #m. More specifically, for example, there are stored(i) parameter numbers of various selection conditions to which numbersare assigned in advance, (ii) what kind of arithmetic comparison is tobe performed, and (iii) a reference value (threshold value) or otherparameter numbers for the arithmetic comparison. One play list 126 isselectable by means of one or more these conditions.

For this, in accordance with the play list set control information126SD-2, by comparing the system parameter or the like which is set forthe function of the player in the information record reproductionapparatus 500 with these selection conditions, one play list 126 can beselected from the play list set 126S. Incidentally, it is sufficient todescribe the information such as a selection condition or the like aboutthe play list 126 to be used to reproduce the title element 200-2 c.

Therefore, at the reproduction of the information record medium, it ispossible to select the play list 126 corresponding to the desiredcontent information, such as a desired program, a desired parental blockor a desired angle block, or the content information capable of utilizethe full function of the information record reproduction apparatus 500,from among a plurality of play lists 126 in each play list set 126S, inaccordance with the selection condition described in the play list setcontrol information 126SD-2.

As shown in FIG. 28, in the third selection scheme, once thereproduction of the title element 200-2 c is started as a part of thetitle reproduction, the selection condition of the play list set controlinformation 126SD-2 in the title element 200-2 c is referred to and theplay list 126 is selected from the play list set 126S (step S141). Then,the pre-command 200PR included in the play list set 126S is executed(step S142). Then, the selected play list 126 is reproduced (step S143),and then the post command 200PS is executed (step S144), and further thenext information 200-6N is referred to (step S145), and the reproductionof the title element 200-2 c is terminated and the process goes to thereproduction of the next title element 200-2 c.

From among these processings, the selection of the play list inaccordance with the selection condition of the play list set controlinformation 126SD-2 may be performed as follows.

That is, in FIG. 29, the selection condition of the play list setcontrol information 126SD-2 is firstly read for each play list (stepS151). In parallel with this, the selection judgement information isinputted into the information record reproduction apparatus 500 (stepS152). The selection judgement information may be user input informationto indicate one program in programs recorded in the same time zone, oruser information to select the parental block or the angel block.Alternatively, it may be a system parameter set in dependence upon thefunction of the information record reproduction apparatus 500 such asthe reproducible resolution, the reproducible channel number or thelike, or the set information to indicate a reproducible function set bythe user.

Then, the informations obtained at step the S151 and the step S152 arecompared to each other, it is judged whether or not the contents of theselection judgement information obtained at the step S152 matches withthe play list selection condition read at the step S151 (step S153). Ifit matches (step S153: Yes), the play list 126 having the matchedselection condition is selected (step S154), and a series of selectionprocessings is terminated.

On the other hand, if it does not match (step S153: Yes), it is judgedwhether or not it is the selection condition of the last play list 126(i.e. play list #m) in the play list set control information 126SD-2(step S155). If it is not the play list (step S155: No), the processgoes back to the step S151 to read the selection condition of the nextplay list 126 and the processings after then are repeatedly performed.

In the repeat of these processings, if it is the last play list 126(step S155: Yes), the selection judgement information from theinformation record reproduction apparatus 500 does not match with anyplay list selection condition. For this, after a predeterminedalternative processing is executed (step S156), a series of selectionprocessings is terminated.

As discussed above, according to the first selection scheme, it ispossible to select the play list 126, title element 200-2 a of whichcorresponds to a desired content information such as a desired program,a desired parental block, a desired angle block, from among a pluralityof play lists 126 included in the play list set 126S, in accordance withthe selection condition for each play list. Alternatively, in view ofthe video reproduction function or the audio reproduction function, itis possible to select the play list 126 corresponding to the contentinformation reproducible by the information record reproductionapparatus 500.

(Access Flow on Reproduction)

Next, with reference to FIG. 30, the access flow on reproduction by theinformation record reproduction apparatus 500, employing the AUinformation 132 and the PU information 302, is explained as one of thefeatures of this embodiment, with the logical structure of the opticaldisc 100. FIG. 30 schematically illustrates an entire access flow onreproduction, in relation to the logical structure of the optical disc100.

In FIG. 30, the logical structure of the optical disc 100 is categorizedroughly into the following three hierarchies: a logic hierarchy 401; anobject hierarchy 403; and a logic-object association hierarchy 402mutually associating those two hierarchies.

Among them, the logic hierarchy 401 is a hierarchy for logicallyspecifying various logical information to reproduce the desired titleduring the reproduction, as well as the play list (P list) to bereproduced and its constitutional contents. In the logic hierarchy 401,disc information 110 d indicating the entire titles 200 and the like onthe optical disc 100 is written within the disc information file 110(see FIG. 3), and further, reproduction sequence information 120 d ofthe entire contents on the optical disc 100 is written within the playlist information file 120 (see FIG. 3). More specifically, theconstruction of one or more play list sets 126S is written, as thereproduction sequence information 120 d, respectively for one or moretitle elements 200-2 included in each title 200. Furthermore, each playlist set 126S includes one or more play lists 126, in each of which theconstruction of one or more items 204 (see FIG. 13) is written. Then, atthe time of the access during the reproduction, the logic hierarchy 401as described above specifies the title 200 to be reproduced, the playlist 126 corresponding to this, and further the item 204 correspondingto this.

Next, the logic-object association hierarchy 402 is a hierarchy forspecifying the attribute and the physical storage address of the TSobject data 140 d to be reproduced, so as to specify the combinationand/or the construction of the TS object data 140 d as the entity dataand perform an address conversion to the object hierarchy 403 from thelogic hierarchy 401, on the basis of the information specified in thelogic hierarchy 401 as described above. More specifically, in thelogic-object association hierarchy 402, the object information data 130d, which separates a group of the contents composing each item 204 intounits of the AU 132 and which finely separates each AU 132 into units ofthe PU 302, is written in the object information file 130 (see FIG. 3).

Here, the “PU (Presentation Unit) 302” is a unit associating and unitinga plurality of elementary streams by the reproduction switchable unit.If there are three audio streams in the PU 302, the user can freelyswitch these three audio (e.g. audio for each language), during thereproduction of this vision.

On the other hand, the “AU (Associate Unit) 132” is a unit uniting aplurality of elementary streams such as video streams in the TS objectused in one title, and made of one or more PUs 302. More specifically,it is a unit uniting the elementary stream packet IDs (ES_PID) for eachTS object, indirectly via the PU 302. This AU 132 corresponds to anassembly made of a plurality of programs having a specificinter-relationship in view of the contents, such as a plurality ofprograms switchable to each other in the multi-source broadcasting. ThePUs 302 belonged to the same AU 132 corresponds to one or moreelementary stream assemblies each constructing a plurality of programsswitchable to each other by the user operation during the reproduction.

Therefore, if the AU 132 to be reproduced is identified, and the PUsbelonged to the AU are identified, the elementary stream to bereproduced is identified. That is, a desired elementary stream can bereproduced from the multi-recorded optical disc 100, without using thePAT or the PMT shown in FIG. 12.

Incidentally, a further specific data structure of the AU information132I and the PU information 302I, each defining the AU 132 and the PU302, is discussed later in detail.

The elementary stream to be actually reproduced herein is identified ordesignated by the ES_PID that is a packet ID (see FIG. 12) of theelementary stream, on the basis of the PU information 302. At the sametime, the information indicating the start time point and the end timepoint of the reproduction is converted to the elementary stream addressinformation, and thereby the contents in a specific area (or a specifictime range) of a specific elementary stream is reproduced.

Thus, in the logic-object association hierarchy 402, an addressconversion is performed from a logical address relating to each item 204to a physical address relating to each PU 302.

Next, the object hierarchy 403 is a physical hierarchy to reproduce theactual TS object data 140 d. In the object hierarchy 403, the TS objectdata 140 d is written within the object data file 140 (see FIG. 3). Morespecifically, TS packets 146 constructing a plurality of elementarystreams (ES) are multiplexed at every time point. The multiplexedpackets are disposed on the time scale to form a plurality of elementarystreams (see FIG. 11). Then, a plurality of TS packets multiplexed ateach time point is associated with a PU 302 identified by thelogic-object association hierarchy 402, for each elementary stream.Incidentally, it is possible to associate a plurality of PUs 302 withone elementary stream (e.g. one elementary stream relating to the sameaudio data is shared, or one elementary stream relating to the samesub-picture data is shared, among a plurality of switchable programs).

Thus, in the object hierarchy 403, the object data is actuallyreproduced, using the physical address obtained from the conversion inthe logic-object association hierarchy 402.

As described above, the three hierarchies shown in FIG. 30 allow makingan access to the optical disc 100 during the reproduction.

(Structure of Each Information File)

Now, an explanation is made on a specific example of a data structure ofvarious information files constructed on the optical disc 100 in thisembodiment, i.e. the data structure of (1) the play list informationfile 120 and the disc information file 110 discussed with reference toFIG. 3, and (2) the object information file 130, with reference to FIG.31 to FIG. 38.

(1) Disc Information File and Play List Information File

With reference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 37, an explanation is made on eachconstitutional element and a hierarchy structure therebetween orthereamong in specific examples of these files. FIG. 31 to FIG. 37 areconceptual diagrams, schematically showing the hierarchy structures ofthese files. Incidentally, in FIG. 31 to FIG. 37, the same file, data,information, and the like as those already explained with reference toFIG. 3 to FIG. 9 and the like carry the same reference numerals, and thedetailed explanations of them are omitted.

Firstly, as shown in FIG. 31, a “title information set” associated withthis specific example is an information set including the discinformation file 110 and the play list information file 120, shown inFIG. 3 and the like.

The title information set is provided with: one disc header 112 x; aplurality of title information 200 (title information #1, . . . , #n); aplurality of play list (P list) sets 126S (P list sets #1, . . . , #n);and other information.

(1-1) Disc Header:

Firstly, from among the title information set shown in FIG. 31, the discheader 112 x is explained with reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 32.

In FIG. 31, the disc header 112 x is shown in a branched form on theupper right of the figure, and has a plurality of fields for variousinformation, such as a version number, the title total number, the titleinformation total number, and the play list (P list) set total number,in order from the top in FIG. 31, as information corresponding to thedisc general information 112 shown in FIG. 3. The disc header 112 x has:a title start address table, as a table for information corresponding tothe title pointer 114-1 shown in FIG. 3; and a play list (P list) setstart address table, as a table for information corresponding to theplay list set pointer 124 shown in FIG. 3. The disc header 112 x has afield for information which indicates a title set attribute forindicating the attribute of each title set. Moreover, the disc head 112x has a title table 112 xtt and a play list set table 112 xpt.

As described above, the disc header 112 x having the plurality of fieldsand tables is to collectively manage a plurality of titles of the entirerecording area on the disc.

Here, the “version number” is a version number in the standard, andaccording to ISO 646, it is regarded as a code “0070”, for example. The“title total number” is the total number of the titles of the entirerecording area on the disc, and the “title information total number” isthe total number of the title information of the entire recording areaon the disc. The “play list set total number” is the total number of theplay list sets of the entire recording area on the disc, and the “titlestart address table” indicates the start address of each title, as arelative byte number from the head of the title set. This byte number iscounted from zero, for example. The “play list set start address table”indicates the start address of each play list set, as a relative bytenumber from the head of the title set. This byte number is counted fromzero, for example. The “title set attribute” indicates the attribute ofthe title set, such as the data length of the title set, the type oflanguage used in the title set (Japanese, English, etc.), and the nameof the title set.

In FIG. 32, the title table 112 xtt is shown in a branched form on theupper right of the figure, and has a plurality of fields for recording aplurality of title menu start address information #1, . . . , #n, and aplurality of title content start address information #1, . . . , #n, insuch a form that they make pairs for each number, in order from the topof the figure.

Here, the “title menu start address” indicates the start address of thetitle information including each title menu, as a relative byte numberfrom the head of the title set. This byte number is counted from zero,for example. The title menu start address “0” is assigned to the discmenu about the entire disc. The “title contents start address” indicatesthe start address of the title information including each contentstitle, as a relative byte number from the head of the title set. Here,the “contents title” is a title for indicating the contents of eachtitle. This byte number is counted from zero, for example. The titlecontents start address “0” is assigned to a first play title which isunconditionally reproduced at the initial stage of the titlereproduction, for example.

In FIG. 32, the play list set table 112 xpt is shown in a branched formon the lower right of the figure, and has a plurality of fields forrecording a plurality of play list (P list) set start addresses #1, . .. , #m.

Here, the “play list set start address” indicates the start address ofeach play list set, as a relative byte number from the head of the titleset. This byte number is counted from zero, for example.

(1-2) Title Information:

Next, from among the title information set shown in FIG. 31, the titleinformation 200 is explained with reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 33.

In FIG. 31, the title information 200 is shown in a branched form on thecenter right of the figure, and has a field for recording information200-1 x which indicates the total number of the title elementscorresponding to the title general information 200-1 shown in FIG. 4,and further, a plurality of fields for recording the plurality of titleelements 200-2 (title elements #1, . . . , #k) and the other information200-5, in order from the top in FIG. 31.

Here, the “title element total number” indicates the total number of thetitle elements included in the title information.

In FIG. 33, each title element 200-2 is shown in a branched form on theright of the figure, and has a plurality of fields for recording thepointer 200PT in which a “play list set number” is written, thecandidate total number, and P list identification information 200PN inwhich one or more available play list (P list) numbers (i.e. P lists #1,. . . , #k) is written, in order from the top in FIG. 32. Moreover, ithas a plurality of fields for recording the P list pre-command 200PR,the P list post command 200PS, the next information 200-6N and the likefor indicating the title element to be reproduced next. Incidentally,the other information in the title element 200-2 is information abouteach title element, such as the title type, for example, a sequentialtype and a branch type or the like.

Here, the “pointer 200PT in which the play list set number is written”is a pointer for indicating the identification (ID) number of the playlist set. The “candidate total number” indicates the total number of theplay list which can be a selection candidate of the title element in theplay list set specified by the pointer 200PT. The “P list identificationinformation 200PN” indicates the ID (identification) number of one ormore play lists which can be the selection candidate. By providing suchP list identification information 200PN, it is possible to include theplay list which can be the selection candidate for the reproduction ofdifferent titles, in one play list set, and it is possible to share theone play list set with different title elements. On the other hand, the“P list pre-command 200PR”, the “P list post command 200PS”, and the“next information 200-6N”, and the like are the same as described above.

(1-3) Play List Set:

Next, from among the title information set shown in FIG. 31, the playlist set 126S is explained with reference to FIG. 31 and FIG. 34 to FIG.37.

In FIG. 31, the play list set 126S is shown in a branched form on thelower right of the figure, and has fields for recording information126-1 which includes the play list (P list) total number and a pluralityof play list (PL) presentations (PL presentations #1, . . . , #i), asinformation corresponding to the play list set general information 126-1shown in FIG. 5, in order from the top in FIG. 31. Moreover, the playlist set 126S has a plurality of fields for recording the plurality ofplay lists (P lists) 126 (i.e. P lists #1, . . . , #i), the itemdefinition table 126-3, and the other information 126-4.

Here, the “play list total number” indicates the total number of theplay lists in the play list set. The PL presentations #1, . . . , #i areattribute information corresponding to the P lists #1, . . . , #i,respectively, and correspond to the attribute information shown in FIG.23.

As shown in FIG. 34, each PL presentation 126-1 xi is shown in abranched form on the upper right of the figure, and has a plurality offields for recording information which indicates a video codec, videoresolution, a video aspect ratio, a video frame rate, an audio channelassignment and so on, in order from the top in FIG. 34.

Here, the “video codec” is used in recording the video informationassociated with the play list set, and thus indicates the type of thevideo codec to be used in reproducing it. The “video resolution”indicates video resolution used in recording the video informationassociated with the play list corresponding to the main pass (i.e. thevideo stream for providing the video) from among the play list set. The“video aspect ratio” indicates a video aspect ratio used in recordingthe video information associated with the play list corresponding to themain pass from among the play list set. The “video frame rate” indicatesa video frame rate used in recording the video information associatedwith the play list corresponding to the main pass from among the playlist set. The “audio channel assignment” indicates the assignment of anaudio channel used in recording the audio information associated withthe play list corresponding to the main pass from among the play listset.

In FIG. 34, each play list 126 is shown in a branched form on the centerright of the figure, and has a plurality of fields for recordinginformation which indicates the data length of the play list 126, a playlist header, the plurality of play list elements 126-2 (i.e. P listelements #1, . . . , #i) and the like, in order from the top in FIG. 34.

Here, the “length” of the play list indicates the length of the playlist continuing to the next, with the byte number. This indicates thelength of the data which does not include the field itself. The “playlist header” indicates information about the total number of the playlist elements included in the play list, the reproduction time length ofthe play list, the name of the play list, and the like.

Moreover, in FIG. 35, each play list element 126-2 is shown in abranched form on the right of the figure, and has a plurality of fieldsfor recording the pointer 126PT which indicates the item number of amaster play item (master P item), the sub pass total number, a pluralityof sub pass information 126-2sub (i.e. sub pass information #1, . . . ,#k), the next information 126-6N, the pre-command 126PR about the playitem (P item), the post command 126PS about the play item (P item), andthe other information 126-6, and the like.

Here, the “pointer 126PT”, the “pre-command 126PR”, and the “postcommand 126PS” are the same as described above. Moreover, the “sub passtotal number” indicates the total number of the sub passes which existin the play list element. The “next information 126-6N” indicates theplay list element to be reproduced next.

Moreover, in FIG. 36, each sub pass information 126-2sub is shown in aform branched to the right toward the center, in the figure, and has aplurality of fields for recording a sub pass type, the slave play item(slave P item) total number, and a plurality of slave play item (slave Pitem) information 126-subPT (i.e. slave P item information #1, . . . ,#k), in order from the top in the figure.

Here, the “sub pass type” indicates what type of display is performed bythe sub pass, such as various menu display. The “slave P item totalnumber” indicates the total number of slave play items of the sub pass.

Each slave play item (slave P item) information 126-subPT is shown in aform branched toward the right end from the center in the figure, andhas a plurality of fields for recording a slave play item (slave P item)number and a start PTS of the master play item (master P item), in orderfrom the top in the figure.

Here, the “slave P item number” indicates the ID (identification) numberof the play item of the sub pass. The “start PTS (Presentation TimeStamp) of the master play item” indicates the reproduction time point ofthe slave item on the reproduction time scale of the master play item.

On the other hand, in FIG. 34, the item definition table 126-3 is shownin a branched form toward the lower right of the figure, and has aplurality of fields for recording the play item (P item) total number,and a plurality of play items (P items) 204 (i.e. P items #1, . . . ,#n), and the like, in order from the top in the figure.

Here, the “play item total number” indicates the total number of theitems 204 on the item definition table.

In FIG. 37, each item 204 is shown in a branched form to the upper rightside toward the center of the figure, and has a plurality of fields forrecording a play item (P item) type, a stream object play item (P item)204-stream, and the like, in order from the top in the figure.

Here, the “play item (P item) type” indicates the type of the play item.For example, in the case of the item for the stream object for themoving picture or video, it is set to a code “00h”, and in the case ofthe item for the stream object for the still picture, it is set to acode “10h”. In the case of the item for the object for various menus, itis set to a code “20h”.

Moreover, the stream object play item (P item) 204-stream is shown in aform branched to the right end from the center in the figure, and hasinformation for indicating an ES (Elementary Stream) index number, an INtime (IN point), an OUT time (OUT point), and the like, which arerelated to each play item, in order from the top in the figure.

Here, the “ES index number” indicates the ID (identification) number andthe type of the elementary stream to which the IN time and the OUT timeare applied. Moreover, the “IN time (IN point)” and the “OUT time (OUTpoint)” are as descried above, and the reproduction time point and theend time point of the item are written on a time basis of 90 kHz, forexample.

Incidentally, in FIG. 37, the item definition table 126-3 may include anitem 204-still for the still picture object, in place of such an item204 for the stream object, i.e. the item 204 for the moving picture orvideo. In this case, the item 204-still has information for indicatingthe type of the play item, a still picture object play item (P item),and the like.

Incidentally, the data amount of each of the title information setexplained above may be a fixed byte or a variable byte. Moreover, eachfield may have a structure in which a required number of each table canbe added.

(2) Object Information File:

Next, with reference to FIG. 38, the object information file 130 isexplained in detail by using one specific example. FIG. 38 schematicallyshows one specific example of the data structures of the AU (AssociateUnit) table 131 (refer to FIG. 3) constructed in the object informationfile 130 and the ES (Elementary Stream) map table 134 (refer to FIG. 3)related to the AU table 134.

In this specific example, as shown in FIG. 38, the object informationtable is stored in the object information file 130. The objectinformation table is provided with the AU table 131 shown in the upperpart of FIG. 38 and the ES map table 134 shown in the lower part.

In the upper part of FIG. 38, the AU table 131 may have a structure thatallows the required number of tables for each Field to be added. Forexample, if there are four AUs, it may have such a structure that thenumber of the Fields increases to four.

In the AU table 131, there are stored “AU table general information” inwhich the number of AUs and the pointer to each AU, and the like arewritten, and “the other information.”

The AU table 131 describes therein the Index number (Index number= . . .) of the corresponding ES map table 134, as the AU information 132Iwhich indicates an ES table Index #m in each PU #m corresponding to eachAU #n. Here, the “AU” is a unit corresponding to a “show” in TVbroadcast, for example, as mentioned above (especially, in the case of“multi-vision” broadcasting, it is a unit of a group of a plurality of“visions” which is changeable or selectable), and it includes one ormore PUs, each of which is a reproduction unit. Moreover, the “PU” is agroup of mutually changeable elementary streams which are included ineach AU, as described above, and the ES table Index #m corresponding toeach PU is specified by the PU information 3021. For example, ifmulti-view contents are provided with the AU, the AU stores therein aplurality of PUs, and each PU stores therein the pointers to a pluralityof elementary stream packet IDs which indicates the packets constitutingthe contents of each view. This indicates the Index number in the ES maptable 134, as described later.

In the lower part of FIG. 38, in the ES map table 134, there are storedES map table general information, a plurality of Indexes #m (m=1, 2, . .. ), and the “other information”, for each Field.

The “ES map table general information” describes therein the size of theES map table, the total number of Indexes, and the like.

The “Index #m” includes the elementary stream packet ID (ES_PID) of theentire elementary stream to be used for the reproduction, thecorresponding Index number, and the address information of theelementary stream.

In the embodiment, for example, if the elementary stream is the videostream of the MPEG 2 as described above, only the TS packet number ofthe TS packet at the head of the I picture, and the correspondingdisplay time length are written, as the address information, i.e. the ESaddress information 134 d, on the ES map table 134, by which the dataamount is tried to be reduced.

Because of the construction as described above, it is possible to obtainthe elementary stream packet ID (ES_PID) of the actual elementarystream, from the Index number of the ES map 134 specified from the AUtable 131. Moreover, since the address information of the elementarystream corresponding to the elementary stream packet ID can be obtainedat the same time, it is possible to reproduce the object data on thebasis of these information.

According to the data structure of the optical disc 100 explained above,even in adding a new title to the optical disc 100, necessaryinformation can be easily added, which is useful. On the other hand,even if some information becomes unnecessary as a result of editing orthe like, for example, what is to be done is simply not to refer to theinformation, and it is not necessary to actually delete the informationfrom the table, which is useful, as well.

Incidentally, in FIG. 38, even the ES_PID that is not referred to fromthe AU table 131 in the upper part is described in each Index of the ESmap table 134 in the lower part; however, it is not necessary todescribe the ES_PID that is not referred to, in this manner. However, ifthe more versatile ES map table 134 is prepared in advance by describingthe ES_PID that is not referred to in this manner, it is not necessaryto reconstruct the ES map table, in reediting the content, such astrying the authoring operation again, which is advantageous.

Now, an explanation is given, regarding the reproduction order ofvarious files or the like, in the reproduction of the optical disc 100having such a data structure as the one specific example, explained withreference to FIG. 31 to FIG. 38.

Firstly, the disc header 112 x is reproduced out of the titleinformation set shown in FIG. 31. As a part of that, the title table 112xtt shown in FIG. 32 is reproduced, and from it, the title menu startaddress or title contents start address is obtained.

Next, in accordance with the obtained address information, thereproduction of the title information 200 shown in FIG. 31 is started.More specifically, the reproduction of the title element 200-2 shown inFIG. 33 is performed, to thereby obtain the play list set number.Moreover, the pointer 200PT to the play lists #1 to #k is obtained.Incidentally, by adopting such a construction that the play list 126 isspecified by the pointer 200PT, it is possible to share, among theplurality of titles, the plurality of play lists which is in the playlist set specified by the reproduction of the title element 200-2 inadvance.

Next, the play list set table 112 xpt shown in FIG. 32 is reproduced, tothereby obtain the play list set start address. On the basis of this,the reproduction of the play list set 126S shown in FIG. 34 is started,and the PL presentation 126-1 xi is firstly reproduced.

Then, the PL presentation 126-1 xi, one example of the required functioninformation, is compared with the reproduction function (i.e. videoperformance, audio performance, and the like) of the informationreproduction system during the reproduction of the optical disc 100, andthus, one optimum play list 126 is selected from the play list set 126Sshown in FIG. 34.

Next, the selected play list 126 is reproduced. More specifically, theplay list element 126-2 shown in FIG. 35 is reproduced. At this time,firstly, the pre command 126PR is executed, then, the master P itemnumber shown in FIG. 36 is obtained. Then, the Item definition tableshown in FIG. 37 is referred to, to thereby reproduce the relevant Item204. The reproduction of this Item 204 is performed by reproducing therelevant TS object in accordance with the ES index number, the IN time,and the OUT time, which are obtained by reproducing the stream object Pitem 204-stream (see FIG. 38). Then, the post command 126PS shown inFIG. 35 is executed. Moreover, the play list element to be reproducednext is specified in accordance with the next information 126-6N, andits reproduction is repeated in the same manner.

As explained in detail with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 38, according tothis embodiment, it is possible to efficiently record as one title alarge volume of content informations including for example a pluralityof programs or a plurality of parental blocks or angle blocks, andfurther select and reproduce a desired one of these programs and thelike relatively easily.

Incidentally, in the aforementioned embodiment, the explanation is madeon the optical disc 100 as an example of the information record mediumand the recorder or player of the optical disc 100 as an example of theinformation record reproduction apparatus. Nevertheless, the presentinvention is not limited to the optical disc and the player or recorderthereof, but is applicable to various record media and the recorders orplayers thereof, supporting other high density recording or hightransfer rate.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments,and various changes may be made, if desired, without departing from theessence or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims andthe entire specification. An information record medium, an apparatus forand a method of recording the information, an apparatus for and a methodof reproducing the information, an apparatus for and a method ofrecording and reproducing the information, a computer program forcontrolling the record or the reproduction, and a data structureincluding a control signal, all of which involves such changes, are alsointended to be within the technical scope of the present invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

An information record medium, a apparatus for and a method of recordingthe information, an apparatus for and a method of reproducing theinformation, an apparatus for and a method of recording and reproducingthe information, a computer program for controlling the record or thereproduction, and a data structure including a control signal, all ofwhich are according to the present invention, can be applied to ahigh-density optical disc for consumer or industrial use, such as a DVD,on which various information, such as the video information, the audioinformation and the sub-picture information, can be recorded at highdensity and further can be applied to a DVD player, a DVD recorder, andthe like. Moreover, they can be applied to an information record medium,an information record reproduction apparatus, or the like, which aremounted on or can be connected to various computer equipment forconsumer or industrial use, for example.

1. An information record medium comprising: object data comprising atitle which includes (i) a plurality of switchable parallel contentinformation (i-1) which can be reproduced by an information reproducingapparatus so as to be switched, (i-2) which includes, as a branchstructure, a plurality of parental blocks, a plurality of angle blocksor a plurality of versions about the same title and (i-3) to which aparental reproduction, and angle reproduction or version selectionreproduction, by which a desired parental block, a desired angle blockor a desired version about the same title is selected as a reproductiontarget, is performed, and (ii) a plurality of sequential contentinformation which can be reproduced by the information reproducingapparatus sequentially and each of which includes a plurality ofpackets, wherein the plurality of switchable parallel contentinformation and the plurality of sequential content information aremulti-recorded by a unit of a packet such that the title can be recordedby an information record apparatus or can be reproduced by aninformation reproduction apparatus; and reproduction control informationfor controlling a reproduction of the object data, wherein thereproduction control information includes: a plurality of play listinformation, command information and object information, at least one ofthe play list information includes: first item information and seconditem information, the first item information defines a reproductionsequence of the sequential content information, which constructs a partof one title, by a unit of an item arranged on a time axis, the seconditem information defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information, which constructs other part ofthe one title, by the unit of the item, the command information selects,on the information reproduction apparatus which reproduces the commandinformation, one play list information from among the plurality of playlist information which includes at least the second item information, onthe basis of selection judgment information which is inputted or setwith respect to the information reproducing apparatus for reproducingthe content information, the object information includes addressinformation for indicating an address of each of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information and the plurality of sequentialcontent information which are defined by the first item information andthe second item information, respectively, each of the object data andthe reproduction control information is recorded into a different area,respectively, some of the content information are reproduced by theobject information specified by the item information belonging to theone play list information selected on the basis of the selectionjudgment information.
 2. An information record apparatus comprising: afirst record device for recording object data comprising a title whichincludes (i) a plurality of switchable parallel content information(i-1) which can be reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus soas to be switched, (i-2) which includes, as a branch structure, aplurality of parental blocks, a plurality of angle blocks or a pluralityof versions about the same title and (i-3) to which a parentalreproduction, and angle reproduction or version-selection reproduction,by which a desired parental block, a desired angle block or a desiredversion about the same title is selected as a reproduction target, isperformed, and (ii) a plurality of sequential content information whichcan be reproduced by the information reproduction apparatus sosequentially and each of which includes a plurality of packets, whereinthe plurality of switchable parallel content information and theplurality of sequential content information are multi-recorded by a unitof a packet such that the title can be recorded by the informationrecord apparatus or can be reproduced by an information reproductionapparatus; and a second record device for recording reproduction controlinformation for controlling a reproduction of the object data, whereinthe reproduction control information includes: a plurality of play listinformation, command information and object information, at least one ofthe play list information includes: first item information and seconditem information, the first item information defines a reproductionsequence of the sequential content information, which constructs a partof one title, by a unit of an item arranged on a time axis, the seconditem information defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information, which constructs other part ofthe one title, by the unit of the item, the command information selects,on the information reproduction apparatus which reproduces the commandinformation, one play list information from among the plurality of playlist information which includes at least the second item information, onthe basis of selection judgment information which is inputted or setwith respect to the information reproducing apparatus for reproducingthe content information, the object information includes addressinformation for indicating an address of each of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information and the plurality of sequentialcontent information which are defined by the first item information andthe second item information, respectively, each of the object data andthe reproduction control information is recorded into a different area,respectively, some of the content information are reproduced by theobject information specified by the item information belonging to theone play list information selected on the basis of the selectionjudgment information.
 3. An information record method comprising: afirst record process of recording object data comprising a title whichincludes (i) a plurality of switchable parallel content information(i-1) which can be reproduced by an information reproducing apparatus soas to be switched, (i-2) which includes, as a branch structure, aplurality of parental blocks, a plurality of angle blocks or a pluralityof versions about the same title and (i-3) to which a parentalreproduction, and angle reproduction or version-selection reproduction,by which a desired parental block, a desired angle block or a desiredversion about the same title is selected as a reproduction target, isperformed, and (ii) a plurality of sequential content information whichcan be reproduced by the information reproduction apparatus sequentiallyand each of which includes a plurality of packets, wherein the pluralityof switchable parallel content information and the plurality ofsequential content information are multi-recorded by a unit of a packetsuch that the title can be recorded by an information record apparatusor can be reproduced by an information reproduction apparatus; and asecond record process of recording reproduction control information forcontrolling a reproduction of the object data, wherein the reproductioncontrol information includes: a plurality of play list information,command information and object information, at least one of the playlist information includes: first item information and second iteminformation, the first item information defines a reproduction sequenceof the sequential content information, which constructs a part of onetitle, by a unit of an item arranged on a time axis, the second iteminformation defines a reproduction sequence of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information, which constructs other part ofthe one title, by the unit of the item, the command information selects,on the information reproduction apparatus which reproduces the commandinformation, one play list information from among the plurality of playlist information which includes at least the second item information, onthe basis of selection judgment information which is inputted or setwith respect to the information reproducing apparatus for reproducingthe content information, the object information includes addressinformation for indicating an address of each of the plurality ofswitchable parallel content information and the plurality of sequentialcontent information which are defined by the first item information andthe second item information, respectively, each of the object data andthe reproduction control information is recorded into a different area,respectively, some of the content information are reproduced by theobject information specified by the item information belonging to theone play list information selected on the basis of the selectionjudgment information.
 4. An information reproduction apparatus forreproducing the information record medium according to claim 1, theinformation reproduction apparatus comprising: a read device forphysically reading information from the information record medium; and areproduction device for reproducing the object data included in theinformation read by the read device, on the basis of the reproductioncontrol information included in the information read by the read device.5. An information reproduction method of reproducing the informationrecord medium according to claim 1, the information reproduction methodcomprising: a read process of physically reading information from theinformation record medium; and a reproduction process of reproducing theobject data included in the information read by the read process, on thebasis of the reproduction control information included in theinformation read by the read process.
 6. A computer readable recordingmedium recording in a non-transitory state thereon a computer programfor a record control to control a computer disposed at the informationrecord apparatus according to claim 2, said program making the computerfunction as at least a part of the first record device and the secondrecord device.
 7. A computer readable recording medium recording in anon-transitory state thereon a computer program for a reproductioncontrol to control a computer disposed at the information reproductionapparatus according to claim 4, said program making the computerfunction as at least a part of the read device and the reproductiondevice.